**The incident marks a disturbing rise in criminal activity, prompting concerns from both local and international communities.**
**American Pastor Abducted During Service in South Africa's Gqeberha Township**
**American Pastor Abducted During Service in South Africa's Gqeberha Township**
**US authorities respond to the kidnapping of Rev. Josh Sullivan, emphasizing citizen safety.**
The recent kidnapping of an American pastor in South Africa has raised alarm both locally and internationally. Josh Sullivan, 45, was abducted during a church service at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Gqeberha, on Thursday evening when four masked men attacked. According to Captain Andre Beetge from the local police, the assailants made off with two stolen phones before escaping in Sullivan's vehicle, a silver Toyota Fortuner, which police later located abandoned.
The US State Department has confirmed awareness of the kidnapping, recognizing the priority of ensuring the safety of American nationals overseas. The case has been referred to the Hawks, South Africa's elite crime-fighting unit, known for handling serious organized crime and corruption. "We are currently pursuing all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the suspects," stated Lt Col Avele Fumba of the Hawks.
Family spokesman Jeremy Hall revealed that Sullivan's wife and children were present in the church at the time of the incident and expressed shock that the attackers knew the pastor's name. Sullivan's mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, expressed her heartbreak on social media and noted that local politicians and the US embassy are working diligently to secure his return.
Remarkably, no ransom has been reported in this case, as highlighted by the South African news outlet News24. Sullivan has been residing in South Africa since 2018 with his family, focusing on establishing a church for Xhosa-speaking individuals, according to his own website. The alarming trend of kidnappings in South Africa suggests a troubling context, with police statistics indicating a staggering 264% increase in such crimes over the past decade. Just days prior to Sullivan's abduction, a Chinese national was also kidnapped in the same vicinity, raising questions about the broader safety environment in the region.
The US State Department has confirmed awareness of the kidnapping, recognizing the priority of ensuring the safety of American nationals overseas. The case has been referred to the Hawks, South Africa's elite crime-fighting unit, known for handling serious organized crime and corruption. "We are currently pursuing all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the suspects," stated Lt Col Avele Fumba of the Hawks.
Family spokesman Jeremy Hall revealed that Sullivan's wife and children were present in the church at the time of the incident and expressed shock that the attackers knew the pastor's name. Sullivan's mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, expressed her heartbreak on social media and noted that local politicians and the US embassy are working diligently to secure his return.
Remarkably, no ransom has been reported in this case, as highlighted by the South African news outlet News24. Sullivan has been residing in South Africa since 2018 with his family, focusing on establishing a church for Xhosa-speaking individuals, according to his own website. The alarming trend of kidnappings in South Africa suggests a troubling context, with police statistics indicating a staggering 264% increase in such crimes over the past decade. Just days prior to Sullivan's abduction, a Chinese national was also kidnapped in the same vicinity, raising questions about the broader safety environment in the region.
