Police have launched a manhunt for a pastor following the alleged rape of a 43-year-old woman and the death of her four-month-old baby near the Hennops River along the R511 in Gauteng.
The incident happened on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, after the woman reportedly travelled to the Hennops River area with the pastor and his 24-year-old wife for a ritual.
According to preliminary information released by Gauteng police, the pastor’s wife remained behind with the baby after they arrived, while the pastor and the woman proceeded towards the river.
The woman was allegedly raped and tied up by the pastor. She later managed to free herself and reached a nearby construction site, where she sought assistance.
A private security company was activated and police were alerted after the woman reported what had happened.
A large multidisciplinary police operation was subsequently launched to locate the missing baby and find the pastor and his wife.
The operation included members of Crime Scene Management, Search and Rescue, General Detectives and the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit, as well as drone operators.
The pastor’s 24-year-old wife was later located by police and questioned in connection with the incident.
She subsequently led investigators to a shallow grave in the area, where the body of the four-month-old baby was discovered.
The discovery brought an end to the search for the infant, but intensified the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death and the alleged attack on the mother.
Police have opened cases of kidnapping, rape and murder.
The pastor remains the subject of a police manhunt, with investigators continuing efforts to locate him.
The 24-year-old wife has been arrested, according to subsequent reports, while the investigation into her alleged involvement remains ongoing.
Police have not released further details about the circumstances in which the infant died, and the allegations against those involved remain subject to investigation.
Gauteng authorities have condemned the incident, with Premier Panyaza Lesufi describing the death of the baby and alleged rape of the mother as a serious and disturbing crime.
Police are appealing to anyone with information that could assist investigators in locating the wanted pastor or advancing the investigation to come forward.
Members of the public with information can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
The investigation remains ongoing.
OTHER NEWS
Young man’s body found in dam at Polokwane Golf Club
The body of a young man was discovered floating in a dam at the Polokwane Golf Club in Limpopo on Wednesday morning, October 7.
The discovery was made near the 17th hole of the golf course by a general worker who was carrying out his duties at the club.
According to golf club manager Wynand Pretorius, the worker noticed the body floating in the dam and alerted a greenkeeper. The greenkeeper then contacted Pretorius, who went to the area and notified police.
The body was found in the water at the golf course while police and emergency services attended the scene.
Pretorius said the man was dressed in black clothing when he was discovered. He was also wearing an armband which, according to the club manager, indicated that he had attended a festival at a nearby venue on Saturday evening, October 3.
The manager said the man had subsequently been reported missing after he failed to return home to his family following the festival.
The circumstances that led to the man ending up in the dam have not been established.
Police were contacted following the discovery and investigations into the incident are under way. At the time of the latest reports, police had not released further details regarding the man’s identity, the circumstances surrounding his death or whether any criminality was suspected.
The discovery has left staff at the golf club shocked, with Pretorius describing the incident as a sad occasion and extending condolences to the man’s family.
Authorities are expected to provide further information as the investigation progresses.
The cause and circumstances of the man’s death remain subject to the ongoing investigation.
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