Korkie abduction a 'mistake'

International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim said he went right to the top - even engaging the Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi - to try to secure the release of Pierre Korkie.

Korkie and his wife Yolande were kidnapped by al-Qaeda members in the city of Taiz in Yemen last May.

Yolande was released this month after extensive negotiations by Gift of the Givers.

Korkie is believed in be in deteriorating health, and the ransom demanded for his release is significant: R32-million.

Ebrahim said he also spoke to Yemen's ministers of the interior and foreign affairs and Prime Minister Mohammed Basindawa.

His delegation received a detailed briefing on the latest information and developments related to the kidnapping.

Though he would not give any details, Ebrahim said in Pretoria yesterday that he was assured by the Yemeni authorities that the motive for the kidnapping was a case of mistaken identity.

"We stressed the pressing urgency of the case, in view of the deteriorating health of Korkie.

"We used engagements to seek advice and look into what Yemen and South Africa could do together to secure the speedy release of Korkie," he said.

South African Institute for International Relations research associate Tom Wheeler said even if the al-Qaeda group recognised the mistake, it might still not release Korkie. Based on their realising they might not get the ransom and Korkie's deteriorating health, they might back off.

"But they may hold out to make a point that they are strong."

Wheeler said the group sought the establishment of a Muslim caliphate - a single Muslim state under a single ruler referred to as a caliph. He said the group had links with other Islamic extremist groups like al-Shabab in Somalia.

He said they also operated in North Africa, Saudi Arabia and Syria.

"They operate like some sort of a franchise with people following the same extremist doctrine that al-Qaeda follows.

"They are all over the Muslim world and follow this radical violent approach to try to promote their cause," he said.

Wheeler said the US has used drones against the group, "which is presumably why they captured Korkie [and his wife], thinking they were Americans.

"They want revenge against the US."

Ebrahim said Korkie was still alive. He said Yemeni authorities had committed to do everything possible for Korkie's release. He said both countries agreed to continue to explore options that could lead to his release.