Cape Town – A ransom has reportedly been demanded for US missionary pastor Josh Sullivan, who was kidnapped at gunpoint during a church service in Gqeberha on April 10.
“It is alleged that while a sermon was conducted at the church, four armed and masked male suspects entered the church,” police said in a statement, according to AFP.
“They robbed two cell phones and then took the 45-year-old male pastor with them and fled the scene.”
South African authorities have now confirmed Baptist pastor Josh Sullivan us being held for ransom. pic.twitter.com/LwM3Sn9mOd
— Sarah St. Onge ن ♀🦬 (@She_Brings_Joy) April 11, 2025
A report by IOL said that the the Hawks have confirmed the ransom demand but have not disclosed the amount.
“In response to the incident, a multidisciplinary task team consist of various police specialised units was activated. The joint team is currently following all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the perpetrators. A ransom was demanded by the suspects,” the report quoted Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakhuvana as saying.
The case has drawn international media attention.
Sullivan arrived in South Africa with his family from Tennessee in November 2018, according to his personal website.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
