A run for SA man’s ransom
WESTDENE – A South African man is fighting for his freedom in an Equatorial Guinea prison and a Westdene resident is playing a part in saving his life.
A South African man is fighting for his freedom in Black Beach Prison in Equatorial Guinea, after he was kidnapped 18 months ago.
The kidnappers are demanding R1 million for Daniel Janse van Rensburg’s release.
His nightmare started about two years ago when he was approached by Gabriel Bela Angabi, an Equatorial Guinea businessman, politician and son-in-law of the country’s president, to help him set up an airline, according to Daniel’s wife Melanie Janse van Rensburg.
Documents detailing their business dealings suggest the two fell out over a R30-million contract to lease an aircraft from a Johannesburg company.
“He did work for them but was paid in bits and pieces and then Angabi decided to drop out of the deal just like that and then demanded money. My husband took the matter to court and he won the case. He was removed from the plane when he was about to come back home and he was arrested without being charged and thrown into prison,” said Melanie.
Melanie added that diplomatic attempts to bring Daniel home have been unsuccessful and what remains is to raise money for his release.
According to Westdene business woman Lorna Greyling, who is trying to help the van Rensburg family raise money, Daniel has not been allowed to make contact with his wife and two children who now live with the fear he might be killed.
Greyling said Daniel has suffered from malaria three times and lost 20kg since the seizure.
Greyling, a 2014 Mrs South Africa finalist, will run 100km in the Natal mountains over three days to raise funds for his relief.
“I will run over three days from 27 February to 1 March. I will run 30km on the first day, 40km on day two and then 30km on the final day. It is going to be a bit tough but it will create awareness.
“I am asking for people to donate R1 per km or R100 for the 100km. If people can contribute we will be able to get this man home to his family. Melanie has tried numerous avenues and the government is turning a blind eye so we need to raise R1 million because this is a hopeless case and his life is hanging by a thread.”
This is a cause close to Greyling’s heart because her husband was once kidnapped in Nigeria in 2010.
There is a trust that has been created to raise R1 million to save Daniel. So far R74 000 has been raised.
Details: Melanie Janse van Rensburg 044 850 1256 or 060 663 09460
