Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim, who flew out to Yemen on Saturday to negotiate the release of South African teacher Pierre Korkie, is back in the country.
While there Ebrahim made a passionate plea to the kidnappers, who are believed to be al-Qaeda, through Yemeni television.
“South Africa is a country of peace, friendship and goodwill. A country that supports the struggles of people everywhere for dignity and justice, from Palestine on one side of the world to Myanmar on the other,” Ebrahim said in the plea.
Korkie and his wife Yolande, who have been living in Yemen for four years, were captured in May last year in the Yemeni city of Taiz.
Yolande was released last week without any ransom being paid, but the militants have demanded R32-million for the release of the 53-year-old. They have threathened to execute Korkie if the money is not paid.
Yolande has indicated that her husband is gravely ill, and desperately needs medical attention.
“His life is in danger. Islam enjoins us to show mercy and forbids us from harming the sick, even in war. I beg those who are holding him to release him without delay.
“South Africa is a developing country and the Korkies are not a rich family. I appeal to you to cooperate with all initiatives so that Pierre Korkie can come home for the treatment he needs to save his life and be reunited with his family,” pleaded the deputy minister.
Ebrahim thanked the kidnappers for the mercy they had shown to Yolande.
“Now we beg you to save the life of Pierre, an innocent South African teacher who came to Yemen to contribute to uplifting your wonderful land.”
Arrangements were made for a signed version of the appeal to be sent directly to the kidnappers. – SAnews.gov.za
