Missionary Opens Up About US Pastor’s Kidnapping After SAPS Rescued Him in Gqeberha
- Pastor Josh Sullivan's missionary partner talked about his experiences after the South African Police Service rescued him
- He was kidnapped from his congregation in Gqeberha and was rescued six days after the ordeal in a high-intensity shootout
- South Africans related to his experience and comforted him, while others slammed the state of crime in the country
With nine years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.
Source: Getty Images
GQEBERHA, EADTERN CAPE — The missionary partner of Pastor Josh Sullivan has opened up about his fellow missionary Josh Sullivan's kidnapping. This was after he was rescued. In a Good Friday sermon, Brandon Byerly said Jesus also died for the sins of those who kidnapped Sullivan.
What did Byerly say?
According to eNCA, Byerly said praise the South African Police Service (SAPS) as one of the best around. This was after the men and women in blue engaged in a shootout with the suspects who kidnapped Sullivan. Three of the suspects were shot dead, and Sullivan was found unharmed. Byerly said Sullivan's family had a story to tell which they will tell on their own time.
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Byerly said that those who kidnapped Sullivan should find Jesus and find the peace that he found. He said Jesus died for their sins as much as he died for their sins. He added that he has seen the Sullivan family a few times.
What happened to Sullivan?
Sullivan was kidnapped on 10 April in Motherwell from his church. The Hawks led a multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation which tracked him down to a house in Kawa Magxaki. The police found him in a vehicle with three suspects. The suspects opened fire and the police returned fire, killing three of them.
The United States Embassy praised SAPS's work in rescuing the kidnapped pastor. It expressed its gratitude for Sullivan's recovery and said the Embassy is committed to continually working with South Africa to ensure the safety of United States citizens in South Africa.
Source: Getty Images
South Africans relate to him
Some South Africans commenting on eNCA's Facebook post shared their experiences of crime.
Moreshka Lebona said:
"It's very traumatic. I was once robbed in Johannesburg CBD. they choked mw until I passed out. I woke up disoriented in thew dirty street and people don't care. they pas you as if nothing happened."
Edith Powell said:
"So sad that our beautiful country has got to this stage of lawlessness."
Hlubikazi Bhungane said:
"We are ruled by criminals. they don't care about crime. We are on our own when it comes to that department."
Buhle Radebe said:
"Our crime rate is too high, and the timing of this incident is terrible considering Trump's tirade on SA."
SAPS rescues kidnapped Free State Pastor
in a relates article, Briefly News reported that a Free State pastor was rescued after he was kidnapped while on his way to a church conference.
The police tracked him and his wife down to Evaton after the suspects snatched him in Bloemfontein.
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Source: Briefly News
