US Embassy hails SAPS for rescuing kidnapped American pastor

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The United States Embassy in South Africa has commended police for rescuing American and pastor Josh Sullivan, who was kidnapped in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

Sullivan was allegedly kidnapped mid-sermon last Thursday in Motherwell and was rescued on Tuesday, 15 April.

US EMBASSY GRATEFUL FOR RESCUE OF AMERICAN PASTOR KIDNAPPED IN GQEBERHA

As previously reported, the American pastor was kidnapped mid-sermon when six masked men, some of them armed, stormed into the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell just after 19:00.

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in the Eastern Cape, Lieutenant-Colonel Avele Fumba, said as officers approached the house, they observed a vehicle on the premises in KwaMagxaki. Upon seeing law enforcement, the suspects inside the vehicle allegedly attempted to flee and opened fire on the team.

“The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded,” Fumba said.

Miraculously, the 45-year-old pastor, who was found in the same vehicle the suspects allegedly launched their attack in, was unharmed. He was immediately assessed by medical personnel and is currently in an excellent condition.

In a brief statement, the Embassy said it expresses its sincere appreciation to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for locating and rescuing a kidnapped U.S. citizen in the Eastern Cape on April 15.

“We commend the swift, coordinated SAPS response, led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), in collaboration with the Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, Anti-Gang Unit, Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team, and other partners. We are grateful for their cooperation with the U.S. Mission.

“The U.S. Mission remains committed to continued collaboration with South African counterparts to promote the safety and security of U.S. citizens,” the Embassy said.