JOHANNESBURG (AP) - An American pastor, Josh Sullivan, was kidnapped last week during a sermon in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. He was abducted by armed and masked men at the Fellowship Baptist church in Motherwell, where he had been serving since 2018. Sullivan, a 45-year-old citizen from Tennessee, was taken from the pulpit on the evening of Thursday, October 12, 2023, along with the theft of two cellphones belonging to congregation members. His truck was later discovered abandoned.
A multi-agency task force comprising the Anti-Gang Unit and the Serious Organised Crime unit commenced an investigation into the kidnapping. On the night of Tuesday, October 17, the task force identified a suspected location in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, approximately 20 minutes' drive from the Baptist church. As they approached the house, a shootout ensued when the suspects, who were in a vehicle parked nearby, attempted to flee and opened fire on the police.
According to police reports, three unidentified suspects were killed in the confrontation. Miraculously, Sullivan was found unharmed inside the same vehicle from which the assailants had launched their attack. Police Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba stated that he was immediately evaluated by medical personnel and was in excellent condition following his release.
The trend of kidnapping in South Africa has escalated dramatically, with police data indicating a 264% increase over the past decade. The Institute of Security Studies, a respected think tank focusing on Africa, highlighted that kidnapping has emerged as a significant tactic in armed robberies and carjackings. Notably, less than 5% of kidnapping cases in South Africa involve ransom demands, pointing to a disturbing trend associated with violent crime instead.
After his rescue, Josh Sullivan was able to reunite with his wife, Meagan, and their two children. Sullivan has described himself as a "church-planting missionary" on his personal website. The pastor’s childhood mentor, Tom Hatley, took to Facebook to announce Sullivan's release. He expressed gratitude for the support and prayers received during this ordeal, urging the community to respect the Sullivan family's privacy as they recover. Hatley emphasized the importance of giving them time to heal after such a traumatic experience.
This incident further illustrates the concerning rise in violent crime, including kidnapping, in South Africa, sparking intense discussions about safety and security in the region. As Josh Sullivan continues to recuperate, the community around him remains vigilant and concerned about the underlying issues contributing to such alarming crime rates.
