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By Citizen Reporter

Journalist


SA hostage Stephen McGowan released from captivity

McGowan's release follows that of Swedish national Johan Gustaffsson, who was also abducted in November 2011.


South African hostage Stephen McGowan has been released from captivity by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in Mali after six years.

He was abducted by the Islamist terror group in November 2011 at a hotel in Timbuktu along with Swedish national Johan Gustaffsson, who was released recently, and was also abducted at the same time.

International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane announced McGowan was released on July 29. She said the SA government did not pay a ransom for his release.

Gift of the Givers chairperson Imtiaaz Suliman confirmed to EWN that negotiations through an intermediary led to McGowan’s release.

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