The American missionary who was allegedly kidnapped during a church service in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape last week has been found unharmed.
This follows a search and rescue operation by the Hawks.
The 45-year-old missionary was discovered inside a vehicle at a safe house in a Nelson Mandela Bay Metro suburb.
Hawks spokesperson Avele Fumba says their operation resulted in a shootout in which three suspects were killed.
“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. The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded. The victim was found inside the same vehicle from which the suspects had launched their attack. Miraculously unharmed, he was immediately assessed by medical personnel and is currently in an excellent condition.”
Kidnapping rates in SA
Kidnappings in South Africa have skyrocketed over the past decade, a worrying indication of the growth of organised crime.
According to a Statistics South Africa report published in July last year, more than 16 000 kidnappings are recorded annually in the country.
85% of the victims are women and children.
VIDEO | Kidnappings skyrocket over the past decade in South Africa:
