Authorities have confirmed that Josh Sullivan, a 45-year-old pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, South Africa, was taken by armed men during a service on Thursday evening. Four masked suspects stormed the church, stealing two mobile phones and subsequently fleeing in Sullivan's vehicle, a silver Toyota Fortuner. Although the police later found the vehicle abandoned, Sullivan's whereabouts remain unknown.
US Pastor Abducted During Service in South Africa Amid Rising Kidnapping Cases
US Pastor Abducted During Service in South Africa Amid Rising Kidnapping Cases
An American pastor was abducted during a church service in South Africa, prompting urgent police investigations and concern over rising kidnapping statistics.
The U.S. State Department is aware of the situation and emphasizes the importance of citizen safety abroad. Local law enforcement has transferred the case to the specialized police unit known as the Hawks for further investigation into serious crimes. Capt. Andre Beetge reported that all possible leads are being pursued to locate the missing pastor and apprehend the suspects.
Family members shared their heartbreak, with Sullivan's mother expressing her despair on social media and confirming that U.S. authorities, including their congressman and the embassy, are involved in the search. No ransom has been demanded for Sullivan's return.
Since moving to South Africa in 2018 to establish a church for Xhosa-speaking communities, Sullivan has served as a missionary. The rise in abductions has been alarming, with a reported 264% increase in kidnappings in the last decade in South Africa, recently highlighted by other incidents, including the recent kidnapping of a Chinese national.
This case underscores the challenges faced in South Africa regarding safety and security, as questions arise about the nation's capacity to curb the ongoing kidnapping crisis.
South Africa, Kidnapping, US Embassy, Crime
Family members shared their heartbreak, with Sullivan's mother expressing her despair on social media and confirming that U.S. authorities, including their congressman and the embassy, are involved in the search. No ransom has been demanded for Sullivan's return.
Since moving to South Africa in 2018 to establish a church for Xhosa-speaking communities, Sullivan has served as a missionary. The rise in abductions has been alarming, with a reported 264% increase in kidnappings in the last decade in South Africa, recently highlighted by other incidents, including the recent kidnapping of a Chinese national.
This case underscores the challenges faced in South Africa regarding safety and security, as questions arise about the nation's capacity to curb the ongoing kidnapping crisis.
South Africa, Kidnapping, US Embassy, Crime
