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Police have launched a manhunt for a pastor following the alleged rape of a 43-year-old woman and the murder of her four-month-old baby near Pretoria.

The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday, 7 October, near the Hennops River, where the woman had gone with a man she knew as her pastor and his wife for what was described as a religious ritual.

In a social media post, Ian Cameron shared details of the case, citing information about the alleged assault and the search for the missing infant.

According to the account, the pastor’s wife remained with the baby while the pastor accompanied the mother towards the river. The woman was allegedly raped and tied up, but managed to escape and seek help at a nearby construction site.

Baby’s body found in shallow grave

Police and emergency teams subsequently began searching for the missing child.

The pastor’s 24-year-old wife was later reportedly located and led investigators to a shallow grave, where the body of the four-month-old baby was found.

Police are investigating cases of rape, kidnapping and murder, as the pastor remains the subject of a manhunt, according to the information shared by Cameron.

The allegations have not been tested in court, and the suspect’s whereabouts remain unknown.

Renewed calls for public access to sex offender register

Cameron also used the post to renew his call for greater public access to South Africa’s National Register for Sex Offenders, using the hashtag #OpenTheRegister.

He argued that parents and communities should have access to information about people convicted of sexual offences, while acknowledging that the circumstances of the current case do not establish whether the wanted suspect has any previous convictions.

The National Register for Sex Offenders contains information about people convicted of specified sexual offences against children and people with mental disabilities. Access is restricted under the current legal framework, although certain individuals and organisations can request information in prescribed circumstances.

Cameron called for legislative reform that would allow broader access to the register while incorporating safeguards to protect victims’ identities and privacy.

He also called for police to locate the suspect and ensure the case is thoroughly investigated.

The manhunt and investigation remain central to the case. Police have not, in the information provided here, confirmed further details about the suspect or announced an arrest.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators should contact the South African Police Service through its official reporting channels.

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Source: Ian Cameron