The dramatic rescue of an American pastor kidnapped in Gqeberha last week has captured global attention, with widespread praise pouring in from U.S. media and the American public.
Pastor Josh Sullivan of the Fellowship Baptist Church, originally from Tennessee, had been living in the Eastern Cape with his family since 2018.
On Thursday, 10 April, while delivering a sermon, he was abducted at gunpoint—an incident that sent shockwaves through both his local congregation and his home community overseas.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom, launching an intense international effort to locate and rescue the beloved pastor.
After several days of mounting concern, the breakthrough came. On 16 April, the Hawks announced Sullivan’s safe recovery from a suspected safehouse in KwaMagxaki.
Acting on verified intelligence, a multi-disciplinary task force led by the Hawks, and supported by the Anti-Gang Unit, Crime Intelligence, and Tactical Response Team, moved swiftly on the identified location.
As officers closed in on the house, they saw a vehicle parked on the property. The suspects inside attempted a high-speed escape and opened fire on the approaching team.
A shootout ensued, with law enforcement responding with tactical precision. When the dust settled, three unidentified suspects had been fatally wounded.
To the astonishment of the rescue team, Pastor Sullivan was discovered alive inside the same vehicle. Miraculously, he had escaped injury. Medical personnel on site immediately assessed him and confirmed he was in excellent condition.
This is the house in Kwamagxaki, Gqerberha where the US pastor was kept hostage for six days. His kidnappers had demanded a ransom for his release.On Tuesday, 15 April SAPS & HAWKS pounced on the address, 3 suspects were shot & killed & the pastor was rescued. No ransom paid pic.twitter.com/HtG2lBSppH
— Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) April 16, 2025
In a statement following the operation, the Hawks said:
“This operation demonstrates the critical importance of inter-agency collaboration and timely intelligence in tackling serious organised crime. The Hawks commend the bravery and professionalism of all officers and support personnel involved in securing the victim’s safe return.”
The agency also extended heartfelt thanks to the public, international partners, and media outlets—both local and abroad—whose vigilance and cooperation were instrumental in the operation’s success.
U.S. media closely tracked the developments and reported widely on the rescue, with many commending South African law enforcement’s swift and decisive action.
Sullivan’s family, who had endured days of agony, expressed overwhelming relief. His mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, said she was “overjoyed” that her son was safe and unharmed.
Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, praised the team behind the operation for their “courage, discipline, and tactical excellence under fire.”
As investigations continue, authorities have asked for privacy for Pastor Sullivan and his family while they recover from the ordeal. Anyone with further information related to the case is urged to contact the Crime Stop hotline.
