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 kidnapped in Syria while travelling back to the Turkish border on 10 January 2017 in the company of Gift of the Givers. He was taken along with two other drivers, who were released shortly afterwards while he was interrogated by the kidnappers.
The footage of Mahomed was released to Gift of the Givers, a South African non-governmental organisation, and the photojournalist’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…”
A clear image of the video displays his name and the exact date as “13/04/2019”.
Mahomed had travelled to Syria with the intention of capturing images of the turmoil, hardships and struggles faced by communities in the country.
Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, says Mahomed is being held prisoner and has been accused of being a foreign spy. Gift of the Givers received the footage via WhatsApp at 10pm on Friday, April 26.
“Shiraaz has been accused of being a foreign spy, a disingenuous way to justify the captivity of an innocent man.”
Sooliman says the family of Mahomed was overwhelmed to discover that he is still alive: “Shiraaz’s family was very emotional, ecstatic, full of hope and grateful to the Almighty. They knew for certain that Shiraaz was alive.”
Sooliman says that progress is being made in the search to find Mahomed.
“An important event on 12 April led to us successfully receiving this all-important video. Valuable information has been assimilated over his period of captivity. The video presents significant information. We can’t explain details for now as many lives would be in danger.”
Picture:Instagram, Abaphenyi News.