South African held hostage by Al-Qaeda for six years walks free

PIETERMARITZBURG - Six agonising years are finally over for South African hostage Gerco Van Deventer and his family.

Gift of the Givers has announced the unconditional release Van Deventer in Mali, where he was sold to Al-Qaeda in 2018.

READ: SA man pleads to be freed from Al-Qaeda captivity

The organisation received news of his release yesterday.

It's understood he is now in hospital for a medical check-up and will be re-united with his family soon.

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers spoke to the eNCA. The charity organisation has been facilitating Van Deventer's release for the past few years.