Mohamed Ameen Dabhelia – 2017/02/22

As controversy surrounding the kidnapping of South African photo-journalist Shiraaz Mohamed continues, Radio Islam has learnt that the group initially accused of his abduction, has allegedly been falsely accused by the Truth Collective SA’s Bakar Al Maharmeh.

Al-Maharmeh has claimed Jabhat Fatah al-Sham was holding Mohamed, while Gift of the Givers states the same group has agreed to help them in trying to track the whereabouts of the photo-journalist.

The Citizen Newspaper is reporting that “The Red Cross has dismissed claims by the NGO (Truth Collective SA) that they’re working together and that they may in fact be putting the journalist’s life in further danger.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is the latest organisation to deny claims by TCSA that it had anything to do with negotiating the release of Mohamed, kidnapped at gunpoint in Syria in January.”

Truth Collective SA ‘not telling truth’ about #ShiraazMohamed https://t.co/ciGO8yoFQk via @TheCitizen_News

— Amanda Watson (@amandzing1) February 21, 2017

Ex-Al Jazeera bureau chief for Turkey and long serving volunteer for the Gift of The Givers, Fekri Shaban, told Radio Islam that there are traitors within the Gift of the Givers’ Ar Rahma hospital in Syria and even more, he claims Mohamed is being held at the hospital.

“Medical doctor Ahmed Khandour, brother Bilal Khandour, his cousin Mustapha and Hassan Sh Umar are the traitors.”

He has however, categorically stated that the group’s founder Dr Imtiaaz Sooliman is not involved in anything related to the kidnapping and he, himself; is working to resolve the issue, and also bring Mohamed back to South Africa safely.

An infuriated Shaban added that he was also accused of orchestrating the kidnapping, something he adamantly denied.

He says that Jabhat al Nusra, the group alleged by TCSA to be behind the kidnapping of Mohamed, will be facilitating the negotiations and the safe return of Mohamed back to South Africa.

“The group was left embarrassed after news broke here in South Africa by Maharmeh that they were behind the kidnapping, in order to secure the exchange of four Mujahideen (members).”

Shaban claims the group was left upset and vowed retribution if the group who kidnapped him, does not release him.

Radio Islam has attempted to contact Gift of the Givers and its founder Imtiaaz Sooliman for comment a number of times, however to no avail.

Editors Note: This article will be updated as soon as additional information becomes available.

(Edited by Hesley Harmse)