Pastor wanted after Gauteng mother allegedly raped and four-month-old baby found dead

A Gauteng pastor is the subject of a police manhunt after a four-month-old baby was found dead in a shallow grave near the Hennops River.

The discovery was made on Wednesday, October 7, after the baby’s 43-year-old mother allegedly escaped from the area where she says she was raped and sought help at a nearby construction site.

Police have opened cases of kidnapping, rape and murder.

The pastor’s identity has not been released, and the allegations against him have not been tested in court.

Mother allegedly taken to river for a ritual

According to Gauteng police, the woman had travelled to the Hennops River near the R511 Road with the pastor and his wife.

Police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the group had reportedly gone to the area for a ritual.

The pastor’s wife allegedly stayed behind with the baby while the pastor and the woman went towards the river.

Police said the woman was allegedly raped and tied up.

She later managed to free herself and fled the area, eventually reaching a nearby construction site where she asked for assistance.

A private security company responded and police were alerted.

Search for missing baby launched

The disappearance of the infant prompted a large-scale search involving several police units and specialist teams.

Crime Scene Management, Search and Rescue, General Detectives and the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit were among those involved.

Drone operators were also deployed as investigators searched the area for the missing child and attempted to locate the pastor and his wife.

The investigation quickly moved from a missing-person search to a murder investigation after police located the baby’s body.

Pastor’s wife led police to shallow grave

Police said the pastor’s 24-year-old wife was eventually found and questioned by investigators.

According to police, she led officers to a shallow grave where the body of the four-month-old baby was discovered.

The circumstances surrounding the infant’s death remain under investigation.

Police have not publicly detailed how the baby died, and further information is expected as detectives continue working to establish exactly what happened.

Manhunt continues

The pastor remains wanted as the investigation continues.

Police have appealed to anyone who may have information about the incident, the whereabouts of the pastor or what happened to the infant to come forward.

The case has brought together several specialist police units because of the nature of the allegations, involving the alleged sexual assault of the mother, the disappearance and death of an infant, and the search for a suspect who remains at large.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Police have urged members of the public not to approach the wanted man themselves, but to provide information directly to law enforcement.

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Source: iol.co.za