Gauteng police have launched an intensive manhunt for a local pastor following a horrific incident on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, which left a 43-year-old mother traumatised and her four-month-old infant dead.

According to Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, preliminary investigations reveal that the mother went to the Hennops River near the R511 road in Atteridgeville accompanied by her pastor and his wife to perform a ritual.

Upon arriving at the scene, the pastor’s 24-year-old wife reportedly stayed behind to look after the four-month-old baby girl.

The pastor and the mother then walked together toward the riverbanks. It is alleged that once they reached the river, the pastor assaulted, raped, and tied up the woman.

The victim managed to untie herself and fled to a nearby construction site to scream for help. Construction workers quickly intervened, alerting a private security firm and activating law enforcement.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) immediately deployed a specialized multidisciplinary team.

The search effort included: Crime Scene Management units, Search and Rescue teams, Drone operators and Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) detectives.

While combing the area, authorities located and questioned the pastor’s 24-year-old wife.

She subsequently cooperated with investigators and led them to a shallow grave where the body of the missing four-month-old baby girl was discovered buried. The pastor’s wife has since been taken into custody.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi strongly condemned the crime, describing the details of the attack as a “savage act of barbarism”.

Official cases of kidnapping, rape, and murder have been opened. Police forensic teams are processing the scene as the targeted manhunt to locate and apprehend the fleeing pastor continues.

Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts to come forward immediately.

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