Al-Qaeda extends ransom deadline for South African hostage

Al Qaida-linked kidnappers in Yemen have extended the ransom deadline for freeing a South African teacher, it was reported on Saturday. The deadline for paying about 32.5 million rands (3 million U. S. dollars) has been extended for three weeks, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) said. Pierre Korkie, a teacher in the Free State Province, and his wife Yolande were abducted in the Yemeni city of Taiz in May last year. Yolande was released by the kidnappers last week. The kidnappers had given Korkie's family until Friday to pay the ransom in exchange for Korkie's freedom. The South African government has repeatedly stated that they will not pay the ransom in exchange for freeing Korkie. The kidnappers have also volunteered information that Korkie is not in good health, the report said. After her release Yolande said the kidnappers had believed they were American when they abducted them because "their perception of Westerners was based on skin colour." South African International Relations Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim is on a mission to Yemen to secure Korkie's release. "It is hoped that the visit by Deputy Minister Ebrahim to Yemen will result in Mr Korkie being released unharmed and as soon as possible," ministry spokesman Nelson Kgwete said. "The South African government takes interest in the well-being and security of its citizens, including when they are in distress or danger in foreign countries," Kgwete said.