U.S. Pastor Josh Sullivan Kidnapped During Church Service in South Africa
U.S. pastor Josh Sullivan was kidnapped during a church service in South Africa by armed assailants. His vehicle was later found abandoned without any trace of him. The U.S. State Department and local elite police unit are involved in the search, following a worrying trend of increased kidnappings in the country.
On Thursday evening, an American pastor named Josh Sullivan was kidnapped during a church service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, a township located in Gqeberra, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Local authorities report that four armed and masked men infiltrated the service, stealing two mobile phones before escaping in Pastor Sullivan’s silver Toyota Fortuner. Subsequently, the vehicle was discovered abandoned, but there remains no sign of Pastor Sullivan.
The United States State Department confirmed awareness of the kidnapping of one of its citizens, emphasizing that ensuring the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad is their utmost priority. In response to this incident, South Africa’s elite police unit, known as the Hawks, has taken over the investigation to remedy this serious crime. Lt. Col. Avele Fumba, a spokesman for the Hawks, stated that police are pursuing all possible leads to locate the pastor and apprehend the kidnappers.
Jeremy Hall, the Sullivan family’s spokesperson, revealed that he and his family were present in the church when the attack occurred, noting that the assailants seemed to know Pastor Sullivan personally. His mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, expressed her heartbreak over the situation on Facebook, reporting that both their congressman and the U.S. embassy are coordinating efforts to find him.
According to the privately-owned News24, no ransom demand has been made as of yet. Pastor Sullivan identifies himself as “a church planting missionary” on his personal website, which indicates that he relocated to South Africa with his family in 2018 to establish a church for Xhosa-speaking communities. Recent police statistics reveal a staggering 264% increase in kidnappings in South Africa over the past decade, highlighting a worrying trend in the region, with another kidnapping of a Chinese national occurring just days earlier in Gqeberra.
The kidnapping of Pastor Josh Sullivan during a church service in South Africa has drawn significant attention, highlighting rising crime rates in the region. Efforts by local authorities and the U.S. government are underway to locate him and ensure his safe return. With a notable surge in kidnappings reported over the past decade, this incident underscores the urgent need for effective measures to combat organized crime in South Africa.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
