A 36-year-old alleged pastor wanted in connection with the murder of a four-month-old baby girl and the alleged rape of her 43-year-old mother has been arrested in Diepsloot, Gauteng.
The arrest took place on Saturday afternoon, 10 October 2026, following an investigation involving detectives and Crime Intelligence. The suspect was reportedly found hiding in a backroom in Diepsloot informal settlement, where he was found with injuries.
His arrest brings the total number of suspects in custody to three, including his two wives, who were arrested earlier in the investigation.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 12 October 2026.
Baby Found Buried in Shallow Grave
The investigation began after the mother allegedly reported being raped and her infant daughter going missing following an incident near the Hennops River, close to the R511 road.
According to preliminary police information, the woman had travelled to the area with the alleged pastor and one of his wives for a ritual. The pastor’s wife reportedly remained with the baby while the mother and the pastor went towards the river.
The woman was allegedly raped and tied up before the suspects left the scene with the infant.
Despite what had allegedly happened to her, the mother managed to free herself and seek assistance at a nearby construction site. Workers alerted the relevant authorities, prompting a response that led to a search for the missing child and the suspects.
The baby’s body was discovered on Wednesday, 7 October, buried in a shallow grave in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. The discovery followed an intensive search involving police investigators and other specialised units.
Pastor’s Wife Led Police to the Baby’s Body
During the investigation, the pastor’s 24-year-old wife was located and questioned by police. She subsequently led investigators to the shallow grave where the infant’s body was found.
Police also brought another woman, believed to be the pastor’s second wife, into the investigation. Both wives had appeared before the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 9 October, in connection with the case.
Their arrests preceded the apprehension of the alleged pastor, who had remained at large while police searched for him.
Intensive Investigation Led to Arrest
The manhunt involved detectives and Crime Intelligence as police worked to locate the remaining suspect. A multidisciplinary team had also been deployed during the initial investigation, with officers from crime scene management, search and rescue, general detectives, and the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit involved in efforts to find the missing infant and trace those allegedly responsible.
Drone operators also assisted with the search.
The investigation followed the opening of cases relating to kidnapping, rape and murder. The arrest in Diepsloot marks a significant development in the case, with all three suspects now reported to be in custody.
The alleged pastor is due to appear in court on Monday, where the matter is expected to proceed through the criminal justice system.
The allegations remain subject to the court process, and the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Police investigations are continuing.
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