Authorities reported that Josh Sullivan, a pastor in Motherwell, Gqeberha, was abducted during a service when armed men stormed the church. The incident has raised concerns over increasing kidnapping rates in the region, where such cases have surged by 264% in the last decade.
US Pastor Abducted During Service in South Africa Amid Rising Kidnapping Rates
US Pastor Abducted During Service in South Africa Amid Rising Kidnapping Rates
An American pastor was kidnapped while leading a church service in South Africa, prompting investigations by local authorities.
Josh Sullivan, a 45-year-old church planting missionary, was leading Fellowship Baptist Church when four armed assailants entered the venue, stealing two phones before making off in his silver Toyota Fortuner. Although police recovered the abandoned vehicle shortly after, there has been no news regarding Sullivan's whereabouts. A spokesman for the US State Department confirmed awareness of Sullivan's kidnapping and emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety of American citizens globally.
In the aftermath of the incident, the case was transferred to South Africa's specialized investigative unit, the Hawks, which tackles serious crimes and corruption. Spokesperson Lt Col Avele Fumba stated that the police are diligently following potential leads in the case and are working to apprehend the kidnappers. Family representatives noted that Sullivan, who moved to South Africa with his family in 2018 to serve the local Xhosa-speaking community, had been targeted specifically, as the assailants appeared to know him by name.
Sullivan's mother took to social media expressing her heartbreak and mentioned that both a local congressman and the American embassy are involved in efforts to locate him. While no ransom demand has yet been made, the urgency of the situation highlights the ongoing challenges South Africa faces with increasing crime, including recent similar incidents involving foreign nationals.
In the aftermath of the incident, the case was transferred to South Africa's specialized investigative unit, the Hawks, which tackles serious crimes and corruption. Spokesperson Lt Col Avele Fumba stated that the police are diligently following potential leads in the case and are working to apprehend the kidnappers. Family representatives noted that Sullivan, who moved to South Africa with his family in 2018 to serve the local Xhosa-speaking community, had been targeted specifically, as the assailants appeared to know him by name.
Sullivan's mother took to social media expressing her heartbreak and mentioned that both a local congressman and the American embassy are involved in efforts to locate him. While no ransom demand has yet been made, the urgency of the situation highlights the ongoing challenges South Africa faces with increasing crime, including recent similar incidents involving foreign nationals.
