An American pastor who was abducted by armed individuals during a church service in South Africa last week has been rescued after a “high-intensity shoot-out” that resulted in the deaths of three individuals, according to police reports.
Josh Sullivan was located unharmed in the township of Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday evening, the same area from which the 45-year-old was taken last Thursday.
Details regarding the kidnappers, who are believed to have had knowledge of the family’s activities, have not been disclosed.
In recent years, South Africa has witnessed a significant rise in kidnappings for ransom.
The kidnappers of Mr. Sullivan had issued a ransom demand, which led to the involvement of South Africa’s elite police unit, the Hawks.
In a statement released on Wednesday morning, the Hawks confirmed that Sullivan was rescued based on “verified intelligence, where a coordinated team… swiftly moved to the identified location.”
Hawks’ spokesperson Avele Fumba reported that as officers approached the residence, the suspects attempted to escape in a vehicle while firing shots.
“The officers responded with tactical precision, resulting in a high-intensity shootout that left three unidentified suspects dead,” Mr. Fumba stated.
Since his abduction, Mr. Sullivan’s family and friends have made heartfelt appeals for his safe return.
Jeremy Hall, the spokesperson for the Sullivan family, informed local newspaper TimesLIVE that Mr. Sullivan was at the church with his wife and children when he was taken.
“They were aware of his name,” he remarked at the time.
Mr. Sullivan identifies himself as “a church planting missionary” on his personal website, where he mentions relocating to South Africa with his wife and children in 2018 to establish a church for Xhosa-speaking individuals.
