SAPS Motherwell was alerted to an incident that took place at a church in Mambalaza Street, NU10, Motherwell. A 45-year-old male pastor and United States citizen was kidnapped at approximately 19:00 yesterday, April 10. This is the third abduction case reported in Gqeberha in just one week.
According to the SAPS spokesperson, Captain Andre Beetge, it is alleged that while a sermon was being conducted at the church, four armed and masked male suspects entered the church.
He added that the congregants were robbed, two mobile phones were taken, and the pastor was abducted. The perpetrators then fled the scene with the pastor’s vehicle.
“The silver Toyota Fortuner was recovered a short while later in Motherwell,” Beetge stated.
A kidnapping and armed robbery case was opened by SAPS Motherwell. The matter is being investigated by SAPS Anti Gang Unit (AGU) according to the spokesperson.
The victim’s mother shared a post on social media, identifying the victim as Josh Sullivan, pleading for his safe arrival home. Her post said, “My heart is breaking, please continue to pray for my son, daughter-in-law, grandkids and our family. They found his van abandoned but Joshua is still missing. Our congressman and American embassy are working on finding him.”
As reported by PE Express earlier this week, two individuals had already been kidnapped. This is the third incident to take place in Gqeberha this week. The first involved a Chinese national who was allegedly kidnapped for ransom. He was on his way to work on the M17 by at least four suspects. The second incident involved a Sydenham resident who was kidnapped, injured and returned home while police were on the scene.
Any person with information that could assist police with this investigation is urged to contact the SAPS AGU Detectives. Detective Warrant Officer Dudley Ferreira can be reached at 082 387 5957. Alternatively, contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 to remain anonymous.
