In brief
In a successful operation, South African police rescued American pastor Josh Sullivan, abducted last week, during a shootout that claimed the lives of three kidnappers.
An American pastor, Josh Sullivan, was dramatically rescued by South African authorities after being held hostage for several days. Sullivan was abducted while preaching at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Eastern Cape, where he was taken hostage by four masked men on April 11, 2025. According to police reports, he was transported a short distance to Gqeberha, previously known as Port Elizabeth, and confined in a secure location.The South African Police Service, under Lt. Col. Avele Fumba's guidance, conducted a thorough investigation leading them to Sullivan's whereabouts. Upon arrival at the suspected safe house, they encountered individuals inside a vehicle. “Seeing the police closing in, they opened fire, leading to a high-intensity shootout,” reported Fumba.After the firefight, three of the kidnappers were found dead, and inside the vehicle, police discovered Sullivan alive and unhurt. He was described as being in "excellent condition" and was quickly reunited with his family following the ordeal. This swift and effective rescue operation has been hailed by authorities who stressed their commitment to tackling crime and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
