The police have launched a manhunt for a man following the alleged rape of a 43-year-old mother and the murder of her four-month-old baby, whose body was discovered buried in a shallow grave on Wednesday, 07 October 2026.
Preliminary information indicates that the woman had gone to hennops river near R511 road accompanied by her pastor and his wife for a 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.
The victim managed to free herself and sought assistance at a nearby construction site. A private security company was activated and the police were alerted.
A multidisciplinary team comprising Crime Scene Management, Search and Rescue, General Detectives, Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) detectives, as well as drone operators, was immediately deployed to search for the missing infant and locate the pastor and his wife.
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.