By Ebi Kesiena
South African authorities have confirmed the safe recovery of American pastor Josh Sullivan, who was abducted last week while leading a prayer service at his church in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape Province. The rescue operation culminated in a deadly confrontation after a tip-off led law enforcement to his captors’ hideout.
In a statement on Wednesday, Hawks spokesperson Avele Fumba said that verified intelligence prompted a rapid deployment of the elite unit to a township residence on Tuesday evening.
“As officers approached the premises, the suspects attempted to escape in a vehicle while opening fire. Our team responded with tactical precision, resulting in a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded,” he noted.
Authorities stated that Pastor Sullivan was found unharmed and immediately reunited with his family. There was no immediate information on the identities of the kidnappers, though investigators believe they were familiar with his daily routines.
Over the past decade, South Africa has seen a sharp rise in ransom kidnappings, and this incident underscores the growing challenge faced by security forces.
Family spokesman Jeremy Hall explained that Sullivan relocated to South Africa in 2018 with his wife and children to minister to Xhosa-speaking congregants. Hall said that since his abduction last Thursday, the community had been praying fervently for his safe return. The pastor’s kidnappers had issued a ransom demand, which triggered the Hawks’ intervention, authorities said.
The successful operation was hailed as a victory against organised criminal networks, with police emphasising their commitment to dismantling kidnapping syndicates and protecting vulnerable residents.
