Josh Sullivan, an American pastor who was kidnapped by armed robbers during a church service in Motherwell, Eastern Cape, South Africa, on Thursday last week, has been rescued.
According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, 45-year-old Sullivan was found at a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, on Tuesday night.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said the rescue was the result of an intelligence-driven operation carried out on Tuesday. Said Fumba:
<blockquote>
As officers approached the house, they observed a vehicle on the premises. The suspects inside the vehicle upon seeing law enforcement allegedly attempted to flee and opened fire on the team.
</blockquote>
Fumba said officers returned fire, killing three suspects. The victim was found inside the vehicle used by the attackers during the confrontation.
He added that miraculously unharmed, the pastor was assessed by medical personnel at the scene and is currently in excellent condition.
More: <a href="https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/eastern-cape/american-pastor-josh-sullivan-rescued-from-kidnappers-in-eastern-cape-three-suspects-killed-49baa400-39a5-44ba-8e52-d4dddcf5fea1">IOL</a>

Pindula News

An American pastor named Josh Sullivan was rescued by the police in South Africa after being kidnapped by robbers during a church service. The police found him at a safe house and arrested the kidnappers. They had to fight back when the suspects shot at them, killing three of them. The pastor was unharmed and is now safe and sound. He was checked by doctors and is doing well. The police did a great job in rescuing him and bringing him back to safety.

American Pastor Taken At Gunpoint During Church Service In South Africa Rescued By Hawks

The United States has expressed concern over reports of assault and abductions of opposition members in Zimbabwe.
Through its embassy in Zimbabwe, the United States urged the Government of Zimbabwe to respect constitutional rights and the fundamental freedoms of all its citizens.
A statement posted on the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe’s X page on Thursday afternoon reads:
<blockquote>
The United States is deeply disturbed by continued reports of violence, assault &amp; abductions of opposition members in #Zimbabwe. We urge respect for constitutional rights &amp; the fundamental freedoms that underpin them.
</blockquote>
This follows the abduction of CCC Member of Parliament Takudzwa Ngadziore, on Wednesday, while on his way to Parliament.
CCC said the youthful MP was dumped in Christon Bank, Mazowe, after he was forcibly undressed, subjected to torture, and injected with an unidentified substance.
Former Mabvuku-Tafara legislator James Chidhakwa (MDC) was also allegedly abducted, tortured and injected with an unidentified substance, recently.
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart, on Wednesday staged a solitary protest against the alleged abductions of CCC members by suspected state agents.
Coltart marched along a street in Harare holding a placard with the message: “No to abductions! No to barbarism.”
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F92qo_RXoAEtRDz?format=jpg&amp;name=large"/>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

United States Of America "Disturbed" By Reported Abductions Of CCC Members

The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has appealed for SADC’s intervention in Zimbabwe’s “political crisis” after the party’s Youth Quota MP in the National Assembly, <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Takudzwa_Ngadziore">Takudzwa Ngadziore</a> was allegedly abducted and tortured by suspected State agents on Wednesday, 01 November.
Ngadziore recorded his abduction live on Facebook before he was reportedly taken to Mazowe where he was tortured before being stripped naked and dumped.
The kidnapping comes less than a month after former Mabvuku-Tafara MP James Chidhakwa (MDC) was abducted, tortured and later dumped along Arcturus Road.
Addressing reporters on Wednesday, CCC Chief Whip Amos Chibaya, said Ngadziore was kidnapped while on his way to the Parliament. He said:
<blockquote>
Honourable Ngadziore was abducted while on his way to the parliament.
He was abducted at a gunpoint. this adds to surging politically motivated violence and targeted abductions.
</blockquote>
Several opposition activists who have been kidnapped over the years have alleged that their captors injected them with unknown substances. Said Chibaya:
<blockquote>
The pattern of injections is a big worry to us, all of them were injected with an unknown substance. A systematic way to eliminate those who differ from ZANU PF.
We have a political crisis in Zimbabwe arising out of a disputed election of 23 August 2023.
If an MP can be abducted in broad daylight in the capital city think of our activists all over the country who are being victimized for being CCC.
</blockquote>
Chibaya demanded that the Police investigate Ngadziore’s abduction and arrest the perpetrators. He said:
<blockquote>
We appeal to law enforcement agencies, particularly the police to investigate this issue with urgency and due diligence
We reject the brazen attempt to turn Zimbabwe into a pariah republic.
We are aware that SADC is meeting on the 4th of November to deliberate on other issues such as developments in Zimbabwe.
We call for Zimbabwe’s return to democracy and full respect of the law.
</blockquote>
Journalist and political activist <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Itai_Dzamara">Itai Dzamara</a> was abducted on the morning of 9 March 2015 by five unidentified men while at a barber shop in Harare’s Glenview suburb and has never been seen since.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

CCC Appeals For SADC's Intervention After Abduction Of MP In Broad Daylight

A pupil at Shabani Primary School in Zvishavane, Midlands Province recently survived a kidnapping attempt by two masked men while on her way home.
The suspects reportedly followed the girl from behind, sprayed a white substance in her face, and tried to shove her into their car.
The incident was revealed in a letter by the school’s headmistress who went on to implore parents to ensure their children were also safe outside school premises.
In a letter addressed to parents, the school head, who only signed off as Matutu, said the attempted kidnapping took place on 08 June.
Matutu, however, did not disclose what Grade the child was or her age. <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/primary-school-pupil-survives-kidnapping-incident/">Part of the letter reads</a>:
<blockquote>
Two men wearing face masks and driving a car followed a child after school and grabbed and doused her with a whitish substance.
The child was only released and saved when another car approached from behind forcing the two men to flee from the scene.
The child lost her voice and regained it the following day…
In light of the above near tragedy, the school is advising all parents to seriously consider the safety of their children to and from school, and ensure you find reliable and reputable transporters.
For learners that walk to school, may you ensure you accompany them to and from school.
</blockquote>
Earlier this month, Police expressed concern over cases of kidnapping in which schoolchildren are being targeted.
It came after two pupils aged 11 and 12 were kidnapped in separate incidents in Harare and Chinhoyi.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Police are investigating the cases. He said:
<blockquote>
The ZRP is concerned with cases of kidnapping in which learners are being targeted.
Police in Harare are investigating a case of kidnapping in which a Grade Six pupil aged 11 was kidnapped while going to school by four unknown suspects who were travelling in a black Toyota Noah on Monday at around 6.30 AM in Glen View.
The victim was later dumped along 13th Avenue in Glen View 3.
</blockquote>
In another case of kidnapping, a 12-year-old Grade Seven learner was abducted in Chinhoyi.
The victim was kidnapped near Chengetanai Old People’s Home by three unknown suspects travelling in a white kombi. The victim was later dumped in Avlon Park.
In March this year, a 12-year-old girl was abducted while she was looking for transport near a primary school in Eastlea, Harare.
Three unknown assailants in a blue Toyota Hiace were involved in the kidnapping.
The girl managed to escape from the three men after they had parked the vehicle in the Hillside area and hid in a nearby maize field.
Here are <a href="https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=ue5155">some tips parents and guardians</a> can teach their children to avoid being kidnapped:
<ul>
<li>Stay away from strangers.</li>
<li>Stay away from anyone who is following you on foot or in a car.</li>
<li>Run and scream if someone tries to force you to go somewhere with them or tries to push you into a car.</li>
<li>Memorize a secret code word. Tell your child not to go with anyone under any circumstances unless that person also knows this code word.</li>
<li>You don’t need to help an adult. For example, a child shouldn’t trust grown-ups who ask kids for directions or for help finding a puppy or kitten.</li>
<li>Always ask for permission before going anywhere with anybody.</li>
<li>Tell your parents where you are going.</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Primary Schoolgirl Survives Kidnapping Incident

Police have expressed concern over cases of kidnapping in which schoolchildren are being targeted.
This comes after two pupils aged 11 and 12 were kidnapped in separate incidents in Harare and Chinhoyi recently.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Police are investigating the cases. He said:
<blockquote>
The ZRP is concerned with cases of kidnapping in which learners are being targeted.
Police in Harare are investigating a case of kidnapping in which a Grade Six pupil aged 11 was kidnapped while going to school by four unknown suspects who were travelling in a black Toyota Noah on Monday at around 6.30 AM in Glen View.
The victim was later dumped along 13th Avenue in Glen View 3.
</blockquote>
In another case of kidnapping, a 12-year-old Grade Seven learner was abducted in Chinhoyi on Tuesday.
The victim was kidnapped near Chengetanai Old People’s Home by three unknown suspects travelling in a white kombi. The victim was later dumped in Avlon Park.
In March this year, a 12-year-old girl was abducted while she was looking for transport near a primary school in Eastlea, Harare.
Three unknown assailants in a blue Toyota Hiace were involved in the kidnapping.
The girl managed to escape from the three men after they had parked the vehicle in the Hillside area and hid in a nearby maize field.
Here are <a href="https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=ue5155">some tips parents and guardians</a> can teach their children to avoid being kidnapped:
<ul>
<li>Stay away from strangers.</li>
<li>Stay away from anyone who is following you on foot or in a car.</li>
<li>Run and scream if someone tries to force you to go somewhere with them or tries to push you into a car.</li>
<li>Memorize a secret code word. Tell your child not to go with anyone under any circumstances unless that person also knows this code word.</li>
<li>You don’t need to help an adult. For example, a child shouldn’t trust grown-ups who ask kids for directions or for help finding a puppy or kitten.</li>
<li>Always ask for permission before going anywhere with anybody.</li>
<li>Tell your parents where you are going.</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Kidnappers Target Schoolchildren

Police in Midlands Province have arrested a 16-year-old housemaid who was employed in Zvishavane for kidnapping her employer’s eight-month-old baby and for stealing from her.
The maid kidnapped the baby a day after she was employed.
ZRP Midlands provincial spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the arrest to <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/https-www-newzimbabwe-com-maid-arrested-after-kidnapping-employers-eight-month-old-baby-a-day-after-being-hired/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>, saying the maid is from Mushandike Resettlement Scheme in Masvingo. He said:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of a female juvenile aged 16 of Village 15 Mushandike Resettlement Scheme, Masvingo, in connection with a case of kidnapping after she stole an eight-month-old baby.
In brief, the circumstances are that on 9 April 2023, the suspect, Evidence Hove got employed as a domestic maid by Memory Sibanda aged 38 in Mandava Township in Zvishavane.
The following morning on 10 April 2023 she was left taking care of four children aged 14, 12, 8 years and the youngest aged 8 months, while the employer went away.
</blockquote>
Police said soon after the employer left, Evidence stole US$60 and went away with the eight-month-old Junior Marenga leaving the other three children behind.
Sibanda was informed about the incident and when the maid failed to return a report was made to ZRP Zvishavane.
The police arrested the maid on 12 April at around 10 AM at Village 7 Sovelele in Sandawana, with the baby in her custody.
Police took the victim to Zvishavane District Hospital for examinations.
Inspector Mahoko urged members of the public to ensure that they employ housemaids who have traceable records.
He said prospective employers should have their maids vetted by police before employing them. This service is done freely at any police station.
He also implored parents and guardians not to entrust or leave their children under the custody of strangers.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Housemaid (16) Kidnaps Employee's Baby A Day After Being Hired

Four (4) female Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) employees were reportedly abducted and held for ransom in Musina, South Africa, on Monday night.
The victims, who work at the Beitbridge border post, had entered South Africa at around 3 PM to do some shopping and were all in ZIMRA uniforms.
<a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2022/09/4-zimra-officers-kidnapped-held-for-ransom-in-south-africa/">ZimLive</a> reported a source as saying the four we kidnapped at gunpoint and robbed of all their possessions before ransom demands were made. Said the source:
<blockquote>
They were all in ZIMRA uniform. The kidnappers must have known who their targets were.
The kidnappers demanded R10 000 to free them, but they didn’t have the money on them.
The ZIMRA officers were made to contact their colleagues at the border and one of them had an FNB account, and a transfer was effected.
… The kidnappers were apparently Zimbabwean because they spoke Shona.
</blockquote>
The ZIMRA officers were reportedly released at around 12 AM on Tuesday.
Limpopo Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo had not confirmed the incident on Tuesday while a ZIMRA spokesman said they were still gathering details.

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