Footage of the Capetonian photojournalist Shiraaz Mahomed, who disappeared three years ago, has surfaced, and he is pleading with the government to help free him from his captors in war-torn Syria.
Mahomed was in the company of Gift of the Givers when he was kidnapped in Syria on 10 January 2017.
He was abducted together with two other drivers, who were subsequently released, while he was interrogated by the kidnappers.
The footage of Mahomed was released to Gift of the Givers, a South African non-governmental organization.
In the video Mahomed’s distress is clear as he begs for help while a masked individual holding a gun stands behind him.
“My name is Shiraaz Mahomed, a South African photographer. Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, my South African president, my family, my friends, the international community, anyone that can help, I need your help in securing my freedom please… I live in fear of my life, I am scared… The area I am in is being bombed by the Russian air force and the bombs are getting closer and closer and closer, I need your help, please help me…”
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