Sullivan, 45, was seized by armed men last week as he led a prayer service at his church in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape province .

He was rescued in the same city on Tuesday, SA’s elite police unit Hawks said in a statement.

Three suspects were killed during “a high-intensity shootout” as law enforcement officers approached a vehicle at a location where Sullivan was being held, police said.

“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,” police said.

--SABC--