CRIME SCENE: Hennops River, Gauteng: Police have launched a manhunt for a pastor accused of raping a 43‑year‑old mother and murdering her four‑month‑old baby.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) the baby’s body was discovered in a shallow grave near the Hennops River on Wednesday, 7 October 2026.

SAPS said according to preliminary reports, the woman accompanied the pastor and his wife to the river along the R511 road for a ritual. 

“The pastor’s wife allegedly stayed behind with the infant while he and the mother walked towards the river. It is alleged that the woman was raped and tied up during this time.

“The victim managed to free herself and sought help at a nearby construction site. A private security company was alerted and police were called to the scene.”

A multidisciplinary team — including Crime Scene Management, Search and Rescue, Detectives, Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) detectives, and drone operators — was immediately deployed to search for the missing baby and locate the pastor and his wife.

The pastor’s 24‑year‑old wife was later found and questioned. She led investigators to a shallow grave where the infant’s body was discovered.

Police have opened cases of kidnapping, rape, and murder.