Josh Sullivan, an American pastor, was kidnapped during a church service in South Africa by masked men who stole his car. The U.S. State Department is involved, prioritizing the safety of its citizens. The local police’s elite unit is investigating the case, which highlights a disturbing trend of rising kidnappings in the area.
An American pastor, Josh Sullivan, was kidnapped by armed men during a church service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Gqebera, South Africa. The incident occurred on Thursday evening when four masked suspects forcibly entered the church, stealing two mobile phones before fleeing in the pastor’s silver Toyota Fortuner. Although police located the abandoned vehicle, there has been no sign of Mr. Sullivan.
The U.S. State Department confirmed awareness of the kidnapping, emphasizing that the safety of American citizens abroad is of utmost importance. Captain Andre Beetge informed the BBC that the case has been assigned to South Africa’s specialized police unit, the Hawks, which focuses on serious crimes and corruption. Lt. Col. Avele Fumba, a Hawks spokesman, stated that the police are diligently following leads to locate Mr. Sullivan and apprehend those responsible.
Jeremy Hall, the spokesman for the Sullivan family, reported that he was at the church with his own family during the kidnapping, noting that the perpetrators appeared to know Mr. Sullivan’s identity. Mr. Sullivan’s mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, expressed her heartbreak on Facebook and mentioned that efforts were being made by both their congressman and the American embassy to assist in locating her son. Notably, no ransom demand has been made following the incident.
Mr. Sullivan identifies as “a church planting missionary,” having moved to South Africa with his family in 2018 to serve the Xhosa-speaking community. Police statistics indicate a staggering 264% increase in kidnappings across South Africa in the past decade, highlighting a concerning trend. Additionally, it is noteworthy that just days prior to this incident, a Chinese national was also kidnapped in Gqebera.
The kidnapping of Pastor Josh Sullivan underscores the growing issue of abductions in South Africa, with a significant increase in such incidents noted in recent years. The involvement of elite police units like the Hawks highlights the seriousness of the situation. Family and U.S. officials are working tirelessly to ensure Mr. Sullivan’s safe return, amidst increasing concerns for safety in the region.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
