American missionary kidnapped at gunpoint during church sermon amid rising crime in Gqeberha

An American missionary, identified as Josh Sullivan, was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint by four armed men during his sermon at a church in Motherwell, Gqeberha, on Thursday night, 10 April 2025. It is the latest in a recent spate of kidnappings in the coastal city.

According to initial information, the men entered the local church, stole valuables, and then forced Sullivan into his vehicle before fleeing.

Captain Andre Beetge of the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed the kidnapping with Daily Maverick, saying that at about 7pm on Thursday, SAPS Motherwell was alerted to an incident at a church in Mambalaza Street, NU10, Motherwell.

“It is alleged that while a sermon was being conducted at the church, four armed and masked male suspects entered the church. They robbed people of two cellphones and then took the 45-year-old male pastor with them and fled the scene in the vehicle of the pastor. The silver Toyota Fortuner was recovered a short while later in Motherwell.” 



Beetge added that a kidnapping and armed robbery case had been opened by SAPS Motherwell and was being investigated by the SAPS Anti-Gang Unit (AGU). 

The captain said: “Just to give assurance, it’s taking top priority for the police. In all kidnapping cases, we have certain protocols that come into play, as well as a 72-hour action plan that we strictly adhere to, and we limit the information that goes out to the public to ensure the safety of kidnapped persons. We can confirm such an incident has taken place, but we can assure the public that we are doing all we can to get this person back again.” 

According to their website, Sullivan is a “church-planting” missionary to South Africa. He writes on the website: “In 2013, I accepted the call to go to the mission field in South Africa. We arrived in South Africa in November 2018. We are looking to finish language school soon and plant a church to the Xhosa-speaking people.” 

Daily Maverick reached out to the US Embassy, which said it would share more information about its response in due course.

Read more: South Africa’s armed robbery problem drives kidnapping

The news is the latest in a series of kidnappings to occur in the area.

News24 reported that on Tuesday, a Chinese national was on his way from a fresh produce market in the city to his business in Kariega when he was ambushed, shot at and forced into another vehicle. On Wednesday, his kidnappers allegedly shared a ransom demand for his safe return. That case has been handed over to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), or Hawks.  

That kidnapping was, in turn, preceded by the kidnapping of Sumaiya Ali, a school teacher, right out of her school parking lot on 24 March. She was returned home three days after the ordeal. In January, two businessmen were kidnapped.   

Any person with information that could help the police with the investigation into Sullivan’s kidnapping can contact the SAPS Anti-Gang Unit Detectives, Detective Warrant Officer Dudley Ferreira at 082 387 5957, or contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 to remain anonymous. DM