A pastor, his wife, and another woman appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng, South Africa, on Monday, facing charges related to the murder of a four-month-old baby. Pastor Caiphus Mkhawane, 36, his wife Tsako Angel Makhubela, 25, and Amanda Manono Mnguni, 32, were formally charged with conspiracy to commit murder and fraud. The charges also include human trafficking, premeditated murder, rape, kidnapping, and robbery with aggravating circumstances against the pastor and his wife.
According to the court, the accused took out several funeral policies in the name of the baby's mother in August. The court heard that Mkhawane, Makhubela, and the mother and child traveled to the Hennops River on October 7 under the pretext of performing religious rituals. The rituals were intended to free the mother from evil spirits and provide protection for her children. However, upon arrival, Mkhawane and Makhubela allegedly tied up the mother and instructed her to undress.
The court heard that Makhubela washed the woman using water from a bucket while Mkhawane took the woman to the river. He raped her and then, together with his wife, allegedly killed the four-month-old baby. The woman managed to free herself and ran to a nearby construction site for assistance. The police tracked down Makhubela, who was arrested on October 7 after being identified by the woman.
Mnguni was arrested later that same day, while Mkhawane was arrested on Saturday, October 10. The three accused will remain in custody. The case has been postponed until October 16 for legal aid representation and bail investigation. The provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Lumka Mahanjana, confirmed the arrests and emphasized the NPA's commitment to holding perpetrators of gender-based violence accountable.
The NPA's efforts aim to ensure that those responsible for such crimes face justice through the criminal justice system. The authorities have not disclosed the motive behind the alleged crimes but have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. The community has expressed shock and outrage over the incident, calling for severe punishment for those responsible.
The baby was buried in a shallow grave, and Makhubela led the police to the location. The authorities have confirmed that the mother is receiving support and counseling. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of women and children in the community, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and protection.
The case has sparked widespread outrage, and the public is eagerly awaiting the next court appearance on October 16. The three accused are facing serious charges, and if convicted, they could face severe penalties, including life imprisonment. The authorities have assured the public that they will do everything possible to ensure justice is served.
Key points
- The pastor, his wife, and another woman were charged with murder, rape, and related crimes in the death of a four-month-old baby in South Africa.
- The accused allegedly took out funeral policies on the life of the baby's mother and committed the crimes under the pretext of performing religious rituals.
- The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed its commitment to holding perpetrators of gender-based violence accountable through the criminal justice system.
