American pastor kidnapped by armed men in South Africa
American pastor Josh Sullivan was kidnapped during a service in South Africa by armed men. An elite police unit has been engaged in the search.
What do you need to know?
- Where and when did the kidnapping occur? Pastor Josh Sullivan was kidnapped on Thursday evening during a service at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
- Who is involved in the search? The search operation involves South Africa's elite police unit known as the Hawks, which specialises in serious organised crimes.
- What are the circumstances of the kidnapping? Four armed and masked men stormed the church, kidnapped the pastor, and stole his car, which was later found.
What are the details of the pastor's kidnapping?
American pastor Josh Sullivan was kidnapped by armed men while conducting a service in South Africa. The incident took place at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell. According to local police spokesperson André Beetge, four masked men entered the temple, kidnapped the pastor, and stole two phones.
The search for the pastor continues
The South African police, including the elite Hawks unit, are intensively searching for Pastor Sullivan. Hawks spokesperson Lt Col Avele Fumba emphasised that actions are being taken on many levels to find the victim and apprehend the perpetrators. The pastor's car was found, but there is no sign of Sullivan himself.
No ransom demand from the kidnappers
The US State Department spokesperson confirmed that they are aware of the kidnapping of a US citizen in South Africa. The family representative, Jeremy Hall, reported that at the time of the incident, Sullivan's wife and children were also in the church. The kidnappers knew the pastor's name, but no ransom was demanded. Sullivan, who moved to South Africa in 2018, is known as a church-planting missionary.
