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S. Africa: Families Urge Pirates for Act of Compassion

SA saved thousands - please release our two

by Vera Hecht
Thursday, August 18, 2011


Bruno Pelizzari and Debbie Calitz held captive since October 2010
Last year a basic yacht, the Choizil set out from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to Richards Bay, South Africa for some repairs.  On October 26, 2010 the South African yacht was hijacked by pirates as it was about to enter the Madagascar / Mozambique Channel.  The pirates changed the course Northbound and when the Choizil was close to the Somali coastline, a Naval Vessel attempted to assist, but kept its distance, for fear of hostages being harmed.  The yacht was then beached, the two crew members, being Bruno Pelizzari and Deborah Calitz, were taken ashore but Peter Eldridge, the Skipper, refused to leave his vessel and was later rescued by the members of the Naval Vessel.

Unlike the huge ships that the pirates are familiar with, for which they receive enormous ransoms; There is NO money to be had for the lives of these two important members of our families.  (But insignificant people to the rest of the world)

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Huge sums of money have been asked for from the families.  We simply do not have the kind of funds available that are being demanded.  We have been offered support and help with the negotiations by Members of the Somali Community Board of South Africa, but the pirates have so far rejected the offered sums of money, which of course are in huge contrast to the millions of dollars merchant vessels are expected to fetch in the pirate trade.

The pirates are holding 2 simple individuals - No Ship - No Cargo - No Insurance - No Value to the Rest of The World.  BUT these 2 PEOPLE are OUR BELOVED FAMILY members, who have already "lost" over 9 months of their lives to captivity.

Bruno is the only Son of six children to our Mother, he is Father of two Sons and Grandfather to a Grandson that he was on his way to meet for the first time in November last year.

Debbie is the only Sister to two Brothers, Mother of four, three Daughters and a Son, Granny to a Grandson she too was to meet for the first time in November last year, with another Grandchild on the way.

These two South Africans are people of Africa, and innocent of any offence to their brothers and sisters of Somalia.  We ask the pirates holding them, Al-Shabaab and all Somalia to show humanity - release our family from this "emotional famine" that has been imposed upon us.

This past week on the news, every night, we have heard how South Africa, through Gift of the Givers and others, have and are assisting Somalia with Aid in its Famine Crisis and saving countless lives.

With this act of good faith shown by South Africa taken into consideration; we, the families of the "2 little people", are pleading for an act of compassion from the pirates, by releasing our 2 South African, beloved members of family.

Please we beg you to restore faith by releasing the innocent Seafarers being held.

Vera Hecht
E-mail: [email protected]

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