A South African national who was kidnapped in Mali in November 2011 by al Qaeda extremists has been released, a spokesman for South Africa’s Foreign Ministry said.
«It took a long time but we got there — and I’m pleased to say that my son is looking well and very healthy and his mind seems as sharp as ever, » he said.
Speaking at the same news conference, South African Minister for International Relations Maite Nkoana-Mashabane voiced her condolences for the death of McGown’s mother, who died in May while he was still in captivity.
Nkoana-Mashabane said no ransom was paid for McGown’s release and that it had been secured with the help of «cooperation and collaboration» from the family.
His father said it had been a «big surprise» when Stephen came back, «but when I gave him a hug he felt as sound and as strong as before, so he was well treated up there.
«Obviously the joy of the miracle that happened … we can’t describe it. I guess unless you have actually traveled the road, you really don’t know what it’s like.»
Malcolm McGown said he regretted that his wife had not lived to see their son again, but he believed Stephen would «pick himself up in a little while’s time and join the normal run of life.»
Stephen McGown did not appear at the news conference himself, although his wife and mother-in-law were present alongside his father.
Doctors are still attending to him and will continue to monitor his health, Monyela said.
McGown was taken hostage while on vacation in Timbuktu, northern Mali, along with Swedish national Johan Gustafsson and Dutch national Sjaak Rijke.
Gustafsson returned to Sweden in June this year after being released by his captors, Swedish authorities said.
Rijke was freed in April 2015 by French special forces, the French Defense Ministry said at the time.
Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, chairman and founder of African NGO Gift of the Givers, said the charity had started negotiations for McGown in June 2015 after his father asked for help but was not involved in the final stages of McGown’s release.
The South African government worked alongside the charity from 2015, Sooliman said. Gift of the Givers also negotiated for the release of Gustafsson, he added.
