An American pastor, Josh Sullivan, who was kidnapped during a church service in South Africa, has been rescued by police after a gun battle that left three suspects dead.
Sullivan, 45, was taken last Thursday evening while preaching at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Gqeberha. Armed men stormed the church around 7pm and also robbed worshippers of their phones.
After five days of searching, South African police found Sullivan on Tuesday night in KwaMagxaki, about 20km from where he was abducted.
Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba, said officers received intelligence that led them to a house where the kidnappers were hiding.
“The officers saw suspects inside a car. When the police approached, the suspects opened fire. The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded,” Fumba said.
He added that Sullivan was found inside the vehicle and was not harmed.
“Miraculously unharmed, he was immediately assessed by medical personnel and is currently in an excellent condition,” he said.
The head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, praised the officers for their bravery.
“We commend the team for their courage, discipline and tactical excellence under fire,” Ngwenya said.
The kidnappers are believed to have known the movements of Sullivan and his family. Authorities have not said if a ransom was demanded.
South Africa has seen a sharp rise in kidnapping cases in recent years. According to police data, the number of kidnappings in the country has gone up by 264% over the past ten years.
Pastor Sullivan is expected to reunite with his loved ones soon.
