Libya hostage | Family pleads for man’s release

JOHANNESBURG - The family of a South African man kidnapped in Libya is desperate for his release.

He's been held for over six years now.

In 2017, paramedic Gerco van Deventer moved from Afghanistan to Libya.

He was hoping for a safer environment, but ironically, he was kidnapped within days.

The family recently received proof he is still alive and is believed to be in Mali.

Gift of the Givers is helping the family and hopes to reach an agreement that won't require ransom payments.

"I spoke to my negotiator, he landed in Mali on Sunday," said Imtiaz Sooliman.

"We've made two videos. Those have been sent to intermediaries, we hope these will get to the captors at some point.

"Obviously, this has to be a negotiation where there's no financial transaction because there's no money to pay," Sooliman said.