<img title="Stephen McGowan" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/aug/Stephen-McGowan.jpg" alt="Stephen McGowan" /> Stephen McGowan
A South African tourist who was kidnapped in 2011 by al Qaeda while travelling in Mali has been released and is back home, foreign minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said on Thursday.
Stephen McGowan was one of four foreigners touring Mali on motorbikes, who were seized in a restaurant in the town of Timbuktu. One, a German, was killed in the kidnapping. French special forces freed a Dutch hostage in 2015 in a raid and a Swede was released in June this year. The kidnappers had demanded $5 million for his release, but the government rejected it, Swedish Radio said.
&ldquo;We would like to warmly welcome him back home and wish him good health, good fortune in his life as a free man,&rdquo; said South African foreign minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, adding that no ransom had been paid. McGowan is undergoing medical tests, but had no major injuries, Nkoana-Mashabane said. McGowan&rsquo;s mother died in May, but other close family members expressed their joy at his return.

A South African tourist who was kidnapped in 2011 by al Qaeda while travelling in Mali has been released and is back home, foreign minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said on Thursday

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A South African tourist who was kidnapped in 2011 by al Qaeda while travelling in Mali has been released and is back home, foreign minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said on Thursday

South African kidnapped by al Qaeda set free after six years

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Home / News / World News / Article / South African kidnapped by al Qaeda set free after six years

South African kidnapped by al Qaeda set free after six years

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