Malawian Prominent Pastor Kidnapped In South Africa

By Joseph Dumbula

A Malawian Pastor Hastings Salanje who is based in South Africa has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen, his church God’s Chapel Global has said.

In the statement, Pastor Usale Mlotha said Pastor Salanje was abducted by gunmen who posed as police officers on Sunday 26 November, 2023 at around 1800 hours when the Church elders were locked in a Church meeting at their church in Rundberg, South Africa.

“To all our members and international followers of God’s Chapel Church & Pastor Hastings Salanje Ministries. This is to officially communicate that on Sunday, the 26th of November 2023 at around 6pm, as the church leadership were engaged in a meeting in our boardroom, some men who presented themselves as policemen/Interpol entered the boardroom and then took the Man of God Pastor Hastings Salanje with them,” reads part of the statement.

The statement further encourages church members and the general public to remain calm as the matter has been reported to authorities and that they are just waiting to hear from them.

Salanje is famed for among other things, his free willed talk and had indicated he wants to contest for President in Malawi past 2025.