The case against Atteridgeville pastor Caiphus Mkhawane and his two wives, Tsako Makhubela and Amanda Mnguni, has been postponed by the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court to allow for legal aid representation and further bail investigations.
The trio appeared briefly in court today on several serious charges, including conspiracy to commit murder and fraud.
In addition, Mkhawane and Makhubela face charges of human trafficking, premeditated murder, rape, two counts of kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
It also emerged in court that the accused had taken out several funeral policies in the name of the victim, who is the mother of the deceased infant.
“On 7 October 2026, it is alleged that Mkhawane, Makhubela and the victim travelled to the Hennops River under the pretext of performing religious rituals intended to free the victim from evil spirits and provide protection for her children.
“Upon their arrival at an area near the river, the two instructed the victim to undress, tied her up and Makhubela allegedly washed her using water from a bucket.
“Thereafter, the pastor went with the victim to the river, leaving the child with Makhubela.
“When they arrived at the river, it is alleged that the pastor washed the victim again and raped her,” said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.
Mahanjana said that, after the ordeal, the pastor fetched the child from his wife, and they both went into the bushes, where they allegedly killed the child.
“The victim allegedly managed to escape and reported the incident to nearby construction workers, who assisted in contacting the police,” Mahanjana said.
Makhubela and Mnguni were arrested on the same day the incident was reported, while Mkhawane was arrested three days later.
Police say the infant’s body was discovered in a shallow grave near the Hennops River.
