Pierre Korkie to be buried on Friday

Originally published in Eyewitness News

Pierre Korkie’s family has confirmed his body has now arrived in his hometown of Bloemfontein, where his memorial service and funeral will be held on Friday. 

Korkie, a South African teacher, was killed by al-Qaeda militants when US Special Forces tried to free American hostage Luke Somers in Yemen last Saturday, just one day before he was due to be released.

Korkie was kidnapped last May and held hostage along with his wife Yolande, who was released early this year.

His family says an autopsy done by state officials at the government mortuary has been completed.

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Preparations are now underway for Friday’s memorial service, which will be open to the public. The service would be held at the CRC Church, in Uitsig, Bloemfontein at 10:00.

Korkie’s burial will take place on the same day, but will be restricted to friends and family only.

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Yolande is also writing a tell-all book said to reveal the conditions under which they were kept and negotiations that lead to her release.