Durban - The Gift of the Givers has made an international plea to Stephen Malcolm McGowan’s captors to contact the aid organisation so it can start negotiations for his release.
However, a lack of information about the men who are holding the South African in Mali is complicating efforts to secure his release.
“One of the difficult aspects of hostage negotiations is not knowing who the captors are, where they are, what they want or how they can be contacted,” said Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman on Tuesday.
To secure his release, the organisation has roped in, Sheik Igsaan Hendrikse, of the Muslim Judicial Council of Cape Town, who has made an appeal posted on YouTube.
Three years ago, McGowan and Swedish national, Johan Gustafsson, were kidnapped by what is believed to be al-Qaeda militants from a restaurant in Timbuktu, Mali.
More than a week ago a video emerged of the captured men on YouTube where McGowan and Gustafsson requested help from their governments.
It is unknown where the video was made.
Gift of the Givers were approached by McGowan’s father Malcolm, who asked for help in securing his release.
However, the organisation could not assist at the time because it was trying to secure the release of Pierre Korkie.
Daily News