DIEPSLOOT — A 36-year-old pastor wanted in connection with the murder of a four-month-old baby and the alleged rape of her 43-year-old mother has been arrested after being tracked down to a back room at an informal settlement in Diepsloot.

The suspect was apprehended on Saturday, 10 October, following an intensive investigation involving detectives and Crime Intelligence. He was reportedly found with injuries.

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the arrest brings the number of suspects in custody to three, including the pastor’s two wives, who appeared before the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 9 October.

Nevhuhulwi said the suspect is expected to appear before the court on Monday, 12 October.

The arrest follows a manhunt launched after the baby’s body was discovered in a shallow grave near the Hennops River, near the R511, on Wednesday, 7 October.

Mother allegedly raped during river ritual

Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the mother had gone to the river with the pastor and one of his wives for a ritual. The pastor’s wife reportedly remained behind with the infant while the pastor and the woman proceeded towards the river.

“It is alleged that the woman was subsequently raped and tied up,” Nevhuhulwi said in an earlier statement.

The woman managed to free herself and escape before seeking assistance at a nearby construction site. A private security company responded and alerted the police.

Police team deployed to find missing infant

A multidisciplinary police team, including detectives from Crime Scene Management, Search and Rescue, General Detectives, and the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, was deployed to search for the missing infant and locate the suspects. Drone operators also assisted in the search.

Police subsequently located and questioned the pastor’s 24-year-old wife, who led investigators to the shallow grave where the baby’s body was found.

Lesufi condemns crimes as investigation continues

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi condemned the crimes and expressed his condolences to the mother and her family.

In a statement issued on 7 October, Lesufi said preliminary reports indicated that the woman had been lured to the Hennops River under the pretext of performing a ritual.

The premier also commended the Department of Roads and Transport’s maintenance and construction teams for raising the alarm after noticing suspicious activity. Their response helped authorities mobilise law enforcement resources, including a helicopter search, as the manhunt continued.

Lesufi called for those responsible to face the full force of the law and reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to working with the South African Police Service and communities to combat gender-based violence and femicide.

Police have opened cases of kidnapping, rape and murder, and investigations are continuing.

Police have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

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