South African hostage released by militia in Congo

KINSHASA, Congo – An official in Congo says a South African who was kidnapped with three others working for the Canadian gold mining company Banro at the end of July has been released.

South Kivu Army spokesman Capt. Dieudonne Kasereka said he was released Thursday. The three others, a Zimbabwean and two Congolese, were released days earlier.

The four had been kidnapped by the Mai-Mai Malaika group in the Maniema province.

Maniema civil society president, Stephane Kamundala. told The Associated Press no ransom was paid, but that the company agreed to terms including repair of the main road and providing drinking water to Namoya.

The Namoya area is rich in gold deposits and is often attacked by Mai-Mai militia. In March 2017, five workers, including one Frenchman, were kidnapped and later released.