South Africa – U.S. pastor abducted at gunpoint while delivering sermon in South Africa: “They knew him by name”

Kidnappings, including by criminal gangs that target people for whom large ransoms can be demanded, have been increasing in South Africa in recent years.

“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. “They robbed two cell phones and then took the 45-year-old male pastor with them and fled the scene.”

A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department told the BBC that they were aware of the kidnapping of an American citizen in South Africa.

Rev. Jeremy Hall, a pastor also based in the southeastern city, told AFP the abduction was probably “financially related.”

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said protocol dictated that once a ransom was demanded, the case would be handed over to the Hawks – a specialized police unit that investigates organized crime, economic crime, corruption, and other serious crimes.

“As I understand, there has been no ransom raised,” said Beetge, urging anyone with information to come forward.

Sullivan was holding a prayer meeting with about 30 people, including his wife and six children, when the armed kidnappers entered, Hall said…