South African police rescued American pastor Josh Sullivan following a deadly shootout that left three kidnappers dead in the Eastern Cape city of Gqeberha on Tuesday.
Sullivan, 45, was kidnapped last week by armed men who stormed his church during a prayer service. The Hawks, South Africa’s elite police unit, conducted the rescue operation that freed the American cleric.
“The victim was found inside the same vehicle from which the suspects had launched their attack. Miraculously unharmed, he was immediately assessed by medical personnel and is currently in an excellent condition,” police said in a statement on Wednesday.
The dramatic rescue unfolded when law enforcement officers approached a vehicle at the location where Sullivan was being held captive. The suspects opened fire, triggering what police described as “a high-intensity shootout.”
All three kidnappers were killed in the exchange of gunfire. No police officers were reported injured during the operation.
Sullivan had been missing for nearly a week after armed assailants disrupted his prayer service and forcibly removed him from the church premises.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the motive behind the kidnapping or the identities of the suspects. It remains unclear whether the attackers demanded ransom or had other objectives.
The Hawks, officially known as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, specialize in investigating serious organized crime, corruption, and economic crimes in South Africa.
Local church members expressed relief at Sullivan’s safe return. Several congregants gathered outside the pastor’s church following news of the rescue, according to witnesses.
The American Embassy in South Africa has not yet issued a public statement regarding Sullivan’s kidnapping and rescue. It is unknown how long Sullivan has been working as a pastor in South Africa.
This incident highlights ongoing security concerns in parts of South Africa, where kidnappings have seen an increase in recent years, though foreign nationals are not typically targeted.
The Eastern Cape province, where Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) is located, has experienced rising crime rates that have prompted calls for increased police presence and intervention.
South African Police Minister Bheki Cele is expected to provide more details about the operation at a press briefing scheduled for later this week.
