American Pastor Josh Sullivan Kidnapped During Church Service in South Africa
Josh Sullivan, an American pastor, was kidnapped during a church service in South Africa when armed men invaded the service. The case is under investigation by elite police, the Hawks. No ransom has been demanded, and the U.S. State Department is monitoring the situation while emphasizing citizen safety.
An American pastor, Josh Sullivan, was kidnapped during a church service in South Africa. The incident occurred at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Gqeberra, when four armed and masked individuals forcibly entered the service. After stealing two mobile phones, they fled the scene in Mr. Sullivan’s silver Toyota Fortuner, which has since been found abandoned. However, there is still no sign of the pastor.
Local authorities have confirmed that the case has been assigned to South Africa’s elite police unit, the Hawks, which specializes in organized crime and corruption. Captain Andre Beetge indicated that the police are pursuing all possible leads to locate Mr. Sullivan and capture those responsible for the kidnapping. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the U.S. State Department stated that the safety and security of American citizens abroad is a top priority.
Jeremy Hall, a spokesperson for the Sullivan family, revealed that Mr. Sullivan had been leading the service with his family present at the time of the abduction. Notably, Hall mentioned that the assailants seemed to be familiar with Mr. Sullivan’s identity. His mother expressed her distress over the situation on social media, affirming that efforts were underway to facilitate his safe return. Fortunately, there have been no ransom demands reported in connection with this incident.
Mr. Sullivan has been described as a church planting missionary who relocated to South Africa in 2018 with the objective of establishing a church for Xhosa-speaking individuals. According to police statistics, the frequency of kidnappings in South Africa has escalated remarkably, with a reported 264% increase over the past decade. Recent incidents have highlighted the growing trend of abductions, including the recent kidnapping of a Chinese national in Gqeberra.
The abduction of Pastor Josh Sullivan during his church service in South Africa underscores ongoing concerns regarding public safety and the alarming rise in kidnappings within the country. While authorities mobilize resources to locate the pastor and apprehend his abductors, the incident also raises awareness of the risks faced by expatriates. The commitment of the U.S. State Department and local law enforcement continues to be crucial in ensuring the safety of citizens abroad.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
