Police have launched a manhunt for a pastor following the murder of a four-month-old baby, whose body was found buried in a shallow grave near Hennops River on October 7.

According to police, a woman had gone to Hennops River with the pastor and his wife for a ritual. The pastor’s wife reportedly remained behind with the baby while the pastor and the woman proceeded towards the river. “It is alleged that the woman was subsequently assaulted and tied up,” police said in a statement.

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The woman managed to free herself and sought assistance at a nearby construction site, after which a private security company was activated and police were alerted.

A multidisciplinary team comprising crime scene management, search and rescue, general detectives, family violence, child protection and sexual offences detectives, and drone operators was deployed to search for the missing infant and locate the pastor and his wife.

The pastor’s wife was later located and questioned by police. “She led investigators to a shallow grave where the baby’s body was found,” the statement revealed.

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Police have opened cases of kidnapping, rape and murder. “The investigation is underway,” read the statement, “while the manhunt for the pastor continues.”

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact the police

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