Manhunt launched for pastor accused of rape and baby’s murder

Police have launched a manhunt for a Diepsloot pastor following the alleged rape of a woman and the murder of her four-month-old baby girl.

The infant’s body was found buried in a shallow grave yesterday, after the pastor’s wife pointed out where the baby had been dumped in Atteridgeville.

According to police, the woman had gone to the Hennops River near the R511 accompanied by the pastor and his wife for a ritual, where she was allegedly raped and tied up.

The mother reportedly managed to free herself and sought help at a nearby construction site, where private security alerted police.

She says she had sought spiritual guidance from the pastor, whom she is familiar with.

The pastor’s wife, who has been arrested, is expected to appear in the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

Police spokesperson, Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, says a case of kidnapping, rape and murder has been opened.

 

Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva from the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights (CRL) Commission says the incident is heartbreaking, adding that it is particularly concerning that it allegedly happened within a sacred space where people are supposed to trust religious leaders.

“People will trust their religious leaders. And that has been the problem we’ve been talking about for a very long time.

“If this were an ordinary criminal telling this particular woman, ‘Let’s go to that place by the river’, she wouldn’t go there. But because this is a religious leader who comes with a very strong  status, so to speak, in terms of being reliable, truthful, godly, and a man of God status, it becomes easy to deceive people who are very much in shock and seriously disappointed.”

Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, has also condemned the incident, saying those responsible must face the full might of the law.

Lesufi has described it as a “savage act of barbarism”.

“I offer my sincere condolences to the mother and family; no parent should ever face such trauma. We fully support the South African Police Service in their investigation. Those responsible must face the full force of the law. Anyone with information that can help locate the suspect should contact the police immediately.”

The provincial government says it will continue using every available resource and working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and communities to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Meanwhile, civic movement, Not In My Name International (NIMNI), says the death of yet another child must trouble the conscience of the nation.

The organisation says children must be protected, adding that their safety must remain a collective responsibility.

“A four-month-old child is completely dependent on adults for love, care and protection. This baby deserved the opportunity to grow up surrounded by safety and love.”

Where is this Pastor from/nationality. Let us not be looking for somebody who is already in his foreign country like Moyo who killed 2 cops and fled the Zimbabwe.
Manhunt for pastor after baby found in shallow grave, mother raped in Gauteng , more details : https://t.co/TovNQJpHM7

— Tsitso09 (@tsitso09) October 8, 2026

Another pastor…🙄
When is government going to do something about all these churches popping up and pastors raping women and children. 🇿🇦

— Megan S. (@SimplyMegszcpt) October 7, 2026