South Africa says national released by extremists in

05 July 2026

South Africa says national released by extremists in Mali

22:19 03 August 2017 Read: 1299

South Africa says national released by extremists in Mali

South Africa’s government says a South African man has been freed from captivity after being held hostage for six years by extremists in Mali.

A statement Thursday says Stephen McGown was released on Saturday. He was kidnapped in 2011 in Timbuktu by al-Qaida’s North Africa branch. He had been traveling as a tourist and also has British citizenship.

South Africa’s minister for international relations confirms that McGown is now home.

The minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, says South Africa’s government does not pay ransom in hostage situations.

In late June, Swedish national Johan Gustafsson was released by extremists in Mali after being kidnapped in November 2011.

More about: #SouthAfrica #Mali

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