After three defendants were killed in a fight with police officers, an American pastor and preacher who was abducted in South Africa last week was rescued on Tuesday.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation stated in a Wednesday press release that” a multi-disciplinary law enforcement activity led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, has succeeded in the recovery of the 45-year-old American citizen, apparently a native priest who had reportedly been kidnapped and held at a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, on April 15th, 2025.”
Josh Sullivan, an British priest and preacher, was abducted in South Africa last Thursday, according to The Associated Press, who was later found free on Tuesday. According to the report, Sullivan has been a priest at the Motherwell Fellowship Baptist Church with his wife and two children since 2018.
Josh has been released, according to Tom Hatley, the priest of Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, in a Facebook post on Wednesday. I simply “given the go-ahead to let it be known.” SA press has begun airing news. The internet in America will follow. I appreciate your prayers and help. Choose continue to pray for The Sullivans. ” Praise The Lord Jesus Christ”
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Sullivan was abducted last Thursday after four men broke into his religion, according to The Associated Press. The four criminals allegedly stole two cell phones from West African church members before removing the preacher from the church and escorting him out of the building. The preacher’s vehicle was later discovered abandoned, according to the Associated Press.
The Major Organised Crime Unit, the Hawks, the Crime Intelligence, the Tactical Answer Team, and the Anti-Gang Product were all members of a task force created by several law enforcement organizations, according to The Associated Press, to investigate last year’s theft. Law enforcement “moved quickly” on Tuesday evening after discovering the priest’s place at a safe home in KwaMagxaki, according to the store.
As officials walked in to the house, they observed a car on the spot. The suspects inside the car reportedly attempted to flee and opened fire on the team, according to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. The officers responded with military precision, which resulted in a fight with a high intensity that left three unidentified suspects seriously hurt.
The prey was discovered inside the same car the suspects had attacked, according to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. He was soon evaluated by medical staff and is currently in excellent condition.” Miraculously unharmed.
