In just three days, another dramatic kidnapping has taken place in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.
Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge confirmed that police are investigating the incident at a church in Unit 10 in Motherwell on Thursday evening.
He says it is alleged that while a sermon was being conducted, four armed men wearing masks entered the church.
Beetge says they stole two cellphones and abducted the 45-year-old pastor before fleeing in his silver Toyota Fortuner, which was later recovered in Motherwell.
He says the Anti Gang Unit is investigating a case of kidnapping and armed robbery.
The pastor's family members took to social media, identifying him as Josh Sullivan, a missionary from the US state of Tennessee who came to "plant" a church in Motherwell.
Sullivan's mother took to Facebook to ask everyone to pray for her family, stating that the American Embassy was also involved.
This is a developing story.
On Tuesday, shots were fired during a brazen kidnapping of a Chinese national on the M19 in Gqeberha on Tuesday morning.
According to police, the incident happened around 05:39, when the 38-year-old victim travelled on the M19 after returning from the fresh produce market.
The man was on his way to his business in Kariega.
Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the man was travelling in his white Toyota Fortuner.
"As he approached the M17 turnoff, a white Toyota Quantum minibus was parked across the road.
"Shots were fired at the vehicle. The driver came to a stop.
"Three unknown suspects approached the vehicle and took the victim out of the vehicle and forced him into the minibus and drove off," Janse van Rensburg confirmed.
