A South African hostage has been killed in a failed raid to free captives held by militants in Yemen, a charity said on Saturday, adding that his death came a day before he was due to be released after more than a year in captivity.
"We received with sadness the news that Pierre (Korkie) was killed in an attempt by American Special Forces, in the early hours of this morning, to free hostages in Yemen," said the Gift of the Givers group, which has been negotiating his release.
"The psychological and emotional devastation to (his wife) Yolande and her family will be compounded by the knowledge that Pierre was to be released by Al Qaeda tomorrow," it said.