South African police have launched a manhunt for a pastor following the discovery of the body of a four-month-old baby in a shallow grave in Gauteng.
The infant was found on Wednesday, October 7, after the child’s 43-year-old mother reportedly escaped from the pastor and raised the alarm.
The woman allegedly told authorities that she had been raped by the pastor before she managed to flee from the area around the Hennops River, near the R511 Road.
Gauteng police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the woman had gone to the river with the pastor and his wife for a reported ritual.
“Upon arrival, the pastor’s wife reportedly remained behind with the baby while the pastor and the woman proceeded towards the river. It is alleged that the woman was subsequently raped and tied up,” Nevhuhulwi said.
According to police, the woman freed herself and ran to a nearby construction site, where she sought assistance. A private security company responded to her distress call and alerted the police.
Authorities subsequently mounted a coordinated search operation involving Crime Scene Management, Search and Rescue, General Detectives, Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit detectives, and drone operators.
The operation was aimed at locating the missing infant as well as finding the pastor and his wife.
Police later located the pastor’s 24-year-old wife and took her in for questioning. Investigators said she subsequently directed them to a shallow grave, where the baby’s body was discovered.
“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. The investigation is underway, while the manhunt for the pastor continues,” Nevhuhulwi said.
The pastor remains wanted as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death and the alleged rape continue.
Police have urged anyone with information that could assist in locating the suspect or advancing the investigation to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
