An American pastor, Josh Sullivan, who was abducted during a church service in South Africa last week, has been safely rescued following a dramatic confrontation that left three suspects dead, according to authorities.
The 45-year-old was found unharmed on Tuesday evening in a township in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, the same region where he was forcefully taken last Thursday.
Although specific details about the assailants remain unclear, authorities suspect the kidnappers were familiar with the pastor’s routine and movements.
Kidnappings in South Africa have surged by a staggering 264% over the last ten years, based on police data.
In a statement issued early Wednesday, South Africa’s elite crime-fighting unit, the Hawks, confirmed the rescue, crediting it to “verified intelligence wherein a coordinated team… moved swiftly to the identified location.”
As officers neared the hideout, the suspects attempted to escape in a vehicle while firing at law enforcement personnel.
Hawks spokesperson Avele Fumba described the encounter, stating, “The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded.”
Since the abduction, Sullivan’s loved ones have issued heartfelt appeals for his return. Jeremy Hall, a spokesperson for the Sullivan family, shared with TimesLIVE that the pastor had been with his wife and children at the church when he was seized.
“They knew his name,” Hall recalled.
Although authorities initially reported no ransom demand, the situation later escalated with the kidnappers making financial demands, prompting decisive intervention by the Hawks.
The Hawks, a specialized division within South Africa’s police service, are tasked with tackling organized crime, economic offenses, and other major criminal activities.
On his personal website, Sullivan describes his mission as “a church planting missionary.”
He and his family relocated to South Africa in 2018 with the goal of founding a church to serve the Xhosa-speaking community.
