By Bhekizenzo Zonele
A 36-year-old pastor and two women accused in connection with the murder of a four-month-old baby and the alleged rape of the child’s mother will remain in custody following their appearance at the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court in Pretoria on Monday.
Pastor Caiphus Mkhawane, 36, Tsako Angel Makhubela, 25, and Amanda Manono Mnguni, 32, appeared briefly in court on 12 October.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said all three accused face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and fraud linked to the incident near the Hennops River.
Mkhawane and Makhubela face additional charges of human trafficking, premeditated murder, rape, two counts of kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The alleged crimes took place on 7 October, when Mkhawane and Makhubela allegedly accompanied the 43-year-old woman and her baby to the Hennops River under the pretence of performing a religious cleansing ritual.
The ritual was purportedly intended to protect the woman’s children and free her from evil spirits.
According to the prosecution, the woman was instructed to undress before being tied up and washed with water from a bucket.
Mkhawane allegedly took her to the river and raped her while Makhubela remained with the infant.
The pastor allegedly returned to collect the baby before taking the child into nearby bushes, where the infant was killed.
The woman managed to escape and sought help from construction workers in the area, who alerted the police.
Erasmia detectives arrested Makhubela on 7 October after the woman identified her. Mnguni was arrested later that day, while Mkhawane was apprehended on 10 October.
The NPA alleges that the accused took out several funeral insurance policies in the woman’s name in August 2026, raising questions about a possible financial motive.
NPA regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to prosecuting those accused of gender-based violence and related offences.
“The National Prosecuting Authority remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of gender-based violence and related offences are held accountable through the criminal justice system,” Mahanjana said.
The three accused are expected to return to the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 October.
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