Josh Sullivan, an American pastor, has been kidnapped during a church service in South Africa. Four armed men entered the Fellowship Baptist Church, stole items, and fled in Sullivan’s vehicle. The case has been assigned to the Hawks, South Africa’s elite police unit, and the U.S. State Department is involved in efforts to locate him. Past reports indicate a significant rise in kidnappings in South Africa.
On Thursday evening, an American pastor named Josh Sullivan was kidnapped during a church service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, located in Gqeberra, Eastern Cape, South Africa. According to police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge, four armed and masked men stormed the service, stealing two phones before fleeing in Mr. Sullivan’s silver Toyota Fortuner. Although the vehicle was later discovered abandoned, Mr. Sullivan remains missing.
The U.S. State Department has confirmed its awareness of the incident, emphasizing that the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad is a top priority. Subsequently, the investigation has been transferred to South Africa’s elite police unit, known as the Hawks, which specializes in investigating serious organized crime and high-level corruption. Hawks spokesman Lt. Col. Avele Fumba stated that the police are pursuing all potential leads to locate Pastor Sullivan and apprehend the suspects.
Jeremy Hall, a spokesperson for the Sullivan family, shared with TimesLive that he was present at the church with his wife and children during the abduction. He noted that the assailants were aware of Mr. Sullivan’s identity. His mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, expressed her heartbreak on Facebook and announced that they were in communication with their congressman and the American embassy to assist in the search for him. Reports indicate that no ransom has been demanded as of yet.
Pastor Sullivan, who identifies himself as a “church planting missionary,” moved to South Africa in 2018 to establish a church serving Xhosa-speaking individuals. Police statistics reveal a 264% increase in kidnappings in South Africa over the past decade. Just recently, a Chinese national was also abducted in the same area, highlighting the ongoing issue of kidnapping in the region.
The kidnapping of Pastor Josh Sullivan during a church service underscores a troubling trend in South Africa, where violent crime, particularly kidnappings, is on the rise. The U.S. State Department and South African authorities are collaborating closely to ensure his safety and recovery. With no ransom requested thus far, the urgency of the investigation remains paramount. Pastor Sullivan’s commitment to his community and the attention this incident has drawn reflect both his significant contributions and the ongoing challenges faced by expatriates in South Africa.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
