South African Pilots Held Hostages Set Free in DRC

Picture courtesy: (Abigail Javier/Eyewitness News) Two South African pilots held hostage in DRC for several days finally set free.

(The Post News)- Two South African pilots who were held hostage in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for seven days following allegations that South African entrepreneur Jonathan Wolpe, who has interests in aviation and equestrian sports, embezzled millions of dollars from the DRC government and a contracted company, leading to the hostage situation.

A bitter dispute arose from a failed agreement between Jonathan Wolpe, CEO of United Aviation Group, and Energia, a company hired to conduct presidential election work in the DRC in December.

Wolpe allegedly reneged on the deal, swindling multiple parties and absconding with millions of rands.

The consequences of Wolpe’s selfish actions led to two South African pilots being taken hostage in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, for several days.

The pilots were threatened by an angry general, who demanded that Wolpe repay the $60,000 deposit he owed to the DRC government, warning them of imprisonment and even death if the debt wasn’t settled.

In an interview with Eyewitness News, pilot Tim Stark revealed that he was told not to fly for the presidential inauguration due to non-payment by Wolpe to the company he was working with.

According to Stark, Wolpe repeatedly fabricated payment receipts, poorly and blatantly, causing increasing tension and angering the client, who became increasingly aggressive and confrontational

Stark’s team was forced to continue working amid rising tensions but soon found themselves held hostage by the military, who seized their helicopters and detained them in their hotel until Wolpe settled his debt with the DRC government.

“The fuel bladder, essential for transporting the machine, had been emptied, leaving us stranded. With no fuel, we were unable to move the equipment or depart,” said Stark.

The second pilot, who wishes to remain unnamed, revealed that the intensifying crisis triggered a heart attack, posing a serious health risk amidst the already dire circumstances.

He said “I had to be rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack in Kinshasa. I was in hospital for two days, and I think that’s when the DRC government realised that this had gone too far.”

The pilots were released after a month-long captivity in the DRC, allowing them to finally leave the country.

Meanwhile, Wolpe is being investigated by KwaZulu-Natal police for fraud, related to a separate debt of R3.1 million owed to the company that employed pilot Stark.

Wolpe has denied all allegations, including claims that he hosted a lavish party while the pilots were being held hostage.