By Bhekizenzo Zonele
Gauteng police have launched a manhunt for a pastor accused of raping a 43-year-old woman and kidnapping her four-month-old baby, whose body was found in a shallow grave near the Hennops River on Wednesday.
Police have opened cases of kidnapping, rape and murder following the incident near the R511 outside Diepsloot, where the woman had reportedly travelled with the pastor and his 24-year-old wife for a spiritual ritual.
According to preliminary police investigations, the pastor’s wife remained with the infant while the pastor accompanied the mother towards the river.
The pastor allegedly raped and tied up the woman before fleeing with his wife and the baby.
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The woman managed to free herself and sought help from workers at a nearby construction site, who alerted private security personnel and police.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said a multidisciplinary team, including detectives, search-and-rescue personnel and Child Protection and Sexual Offences investigators, was deployed to locate the infant and the suspects.
“The 24-year-old wife of the pastor was subsequently located and questioned by police. She led investigators to a shallow grave where the baby’s body was found. Police have opened a case of kidnapping, rape and murder,” Nevhuhulwi said.
The pastor’s wife has been taken into custody, while police continue to search for the pastor.
Authorities have appealed to anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi condemned the incident, describing it as a barbaric attack on a vulnerable mother and infant.
“We condemn this savage act of barbarism that has taken an infant from a family, violated an innocent woman, and caused deep pain and anxiety to the family and the entire community,” Lesufi said.
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The incident has renewed concerns about gender-based violence and femicide, particularly the safety of women and children.
Lesufi said the case reinforced the provincial government’s commitment to combating violence against women and children.
“This cruel and senseless crime, like other recent attacks on women and children, strengthens the province’s determination to ensure perpetrators face the full force of the law,” he said.
Police investigations are continuing as authorities work to locate the pastor and establish the full circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
