A South African photojournalist, who was kidnapped in Syria, is still missing after four days, despite promises that he would be released within two days.
The humanitarian aid group, Gift of the Givers, founder Imtiaz Sooliman on Saturday said in a text message that he had been in touch with his teams in Syria and according to them the kidnapping of Shiraaz Mohamed at 3.45pm on Tuesday near the charity’s Al Hilal hospital on the Aljamiliye Road.
“Shiraaz was on his way with two of our people to the Turkish border on his way out of Syria. They took the road they normally take when transporting patients by ambulance. It’s a relatively safe route. There’s never been an incident here in all these years," says Imitiaz.
Imitiaz said when they passed the Gift of the Givers Al Hilal hospital two cars suddenly boxed them in. Their driver hooted at them to move out of the way. Then a few men with guns got off, and calmly approached their car. They gunmen then opened the doors‚ put a gun to the head of our two people, and looked at Shiraaz.
“Our people told them not to take Shiraaz as it could harm support for the hospital. They replied that they think that there is some misunderstanding and that they need to question him and will return him in two days," says Imitiaz.
“They the blindfolded the three of them and drove for about an hour. Within five minutes of them taking off from the point of capture, one of our people’s cellphone rang. They confiscated it.
Imitiaz said that after an hour the kidnappers stopped at a certain point and got off. They then reportedly asked questions about Shiraaz.
"They asked if Shiraaz is a foreigner. Our people replied yes. They asked if he has a passport. They said yes. They asked if he’s Muslim they said yes. They asked about the Turkish delegation that entered Syria earlier that day. They said they don’t know. They asked about Dr Ahmad who heads the Gift of the Givers Hospital. They said everyone knows him because he helps everyone," says Imitiaz.
According to Imitiaz's statement, the kidnappers then released the two and returned the cellphone. The two victims who were released reportedly asked the kidnappers who they were.
"When our two asked who they were, they said they represent all groups inside Syria. When our two asked where they were now, they gave the name of the area and precise location (I can’t mention it for now). Our [guys] said don’t harm Shiraaz because he is a guest," says Imitiaz.
“They said they only want to question him and will return him in two days to the Gift of the Givers Ar Rahma Hospital. They want to clear a misunderstanding. What misunderstanding we don’t know."
He said he would inform the international relations and co-operation department about the incident on Saturday.
Mohamed’s ex-wife Shaaziya Brijlal said the family was devastated at the news of his disappearance.
“Shiraaz’s passion for his pics and for people led him into a distinguished career as an international photographer of note, with his pics being featured regularly in New York Times among others,” she said in a statement.
For months Shiraaz had been talking of going to Syria and achieved this through a trip facilitated by Gift of the Givers. He arrived there on Wednesday last week.
His photographs were last posted on January 7 on his Facebook pages#ArtofLife#OnAssignment#VictimsOfWar#PrayforSyria#GiftoftheGivers.
“My last communication with him was at 3.15 on Tuesday, at 3.17pm while on his way to the Turkish border. Earlier, at 12.48pm he indicated that he should be at the border by 3pm and that if I did not hear from him by 6.30pm I was to contact Ahmed Bham. An hour later he said that I should wait until 8pm to call Bham. We have not heard from him since," says Shaaziya.
“As a family, we are devastated. The ‘not knowing’ is the hardest part. We met with Ahmed Bham yesterday to get clarity on the sequence of events leading up [to] his disappearance. We acknowledge, and are deeply grateful, for the co-operation and ongoing communications we are receiving from Gift of the Givers."