Couple held by Somali pirates returns to S. Africa
Views:437 | Thursday, June 28th, 2012 | By somaliradio.net

A South African woman free after being held by Somali pirates for nearly two years says she and her partner were handcuffed throughout their ordeal and their captors fed them little but rice, pasta and bread.

Deborah Calitz and Bruno Pelizzari spoke to reporters at an emotional Johannesburg airport news conference Wednesday after returning to South Africa following their release in Somalia last week.

Friends and relatives draped in yellow ribbon printed with the word "believe" greeted them at the airport with tears, hugs and flowers.

Calitz says they were "were treated worse than animals at times."

She says they do not know whether a ransom was paid. They were captive 20 months, among the longest periods hostages have been held by Somali pirates.

Source:AP

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