US Pastor Josh Sullivan Kidnapped During Church Service in South Africa
American pastor Josh Sullivan was kidnapped during a church service in South Africa by armed men. The attackers stole his vehicle and fled, leaving no trace of him. The U.S. State Department and local police are involved in the investigation, with no ransom requested. This incident highlights the growing issue of kidnappings in South Africa, which have increased significantly in recent years.
Josh Sullivan, an American pastor, was kidnapped during a church service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Gqeberha, South Africa. According to local police, the incident occurred when four armed and masked men entered the service, stealing two phones and fleeing in Sullivan’s silver Toyota Fortuner. The vehicle was later found abandoned; however, there has been no trace of the pastor since his kidnapping.
The U.S. State Department is aware of the situation and emphasizes that the safety of American citizens abroad is a top priority. The case has been assigned to South Africa’s elite police unit, the Hawks, which specializes in serious crimes and high-level corruption. According to Lt. Col. Avele Fumba, they are pursuing all available leads to locate Sullivan and arrest the kidnappers.
Jeremy Hall, a spokesman for Sullivan’s family, mentioned that their family was present in the church during the kidnapping, asserting that the attackers were familiar with Sullivan. His mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, expressed her heartbreak about the incident on Facebook, noting that both the congressman and the U.S. embassy are working to secure his safe return. No ransom has been requested at this time, according to reports.
Sullivan, described on his personal website as a “church planting missionary,” moved to South Africa in 2018 with his family to establish a church for Xhosa-speaking communities. Over the past decade, there has been a reported 264% increase in kidnappings in South Africa, highlighting a concerning trend. Just recently, a Chinese citizen was also kidnapped in Gqeberha, illustrating the growing threat of abduction in the region.
The kidnapping of Pastor Josh Sullivan during a church service in South Africa underscores the alarming rise in such crimes in the country. With local and U.S. authorities involved, efforts are ongoing to locate Sullivan and apprehend the armed assailants. The case reflects broader security concerns as kidnapping incidents continue to increase in South Africa.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
