Pretoria – The faces behind the shocking crimes in which a pastor raped a female believer, had his wife murder her four-month-old baby, and bury it in a shallow grave have been unveiled in Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court.
Curious people in the public gallery stared at the trio – 36-year-old Pastor Caiphus Mkhawane, 25-year-old Tsako Angel Makhubela and 32-year-old Amanda Manono Mnguni as they stood in the dock.
The pastor wore a yellow short-sleeved T-shirt with “UZZI Jeans” emblazoned on the front.
During the brief appearance, the pastor, with his well-kempt hairstyle, looked straight ahead, while his two co-accused, believed to be his common-law wives, were fixated on the floor.
There was nothing remarkable about the female suspects – they looked lost and rather shabby.
“Were these women really the ones who killed the four-month-old baby and buried her in a shallow grave?” The curious looks from the gallery seemed to ask.
Allegations before the court were that during August 2026, the accused pastor took out several funeral policies in the name of the rape complainant, the mother of the deceased infant, who can not be named.
It was further alleged that on 7 October 2026, Pastor Mkhawane, Makhubela, allegedly conspired against the vulnerable complainant.
It is alleged that the pair lured the complainant to the Hennops River under the pretext of performing religious rituals that would “free her from evil spirits and provide protection for her children”.
At a secluded spot near the river, the complainant was allegedly instructed to undress before they tied her up.
Angel Makhubela allegedly washed the complainant using water from a bucket.
Allegations are that thereafter, the pastor went with the complainant to the river.
The four-month-old baby was left in the care of Angel Makhubela.
At the river, it is alleged that the pastor washed the victim again and raped her.
After the rape, the pastor and his wife took the baby to the bushes where they were said to have callously ended the life of the innocent soul.
The complainant said she managed to escape and report the incident to nearby construction workers, who assisted in contacting the police.
The deceased baby was later found buried in a shallow grave.
Following an investigation by the Erasmia detectives, Angel Makhubela was arrested on 7 October 2026 after being identified by the victim.
Mnguni was arrested later the same day, while Pastor Mkhawane was arrested on 10 October 2026.
All three accused face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and fraud.
In addition, Pastor Mkhawane and Makhubela face charges of human trafficking, premeditated murder, rape, two counts of kidnapping, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
All the accused were remanded in custody after their matter was postponed to 16 October 2026 for legal aid representation and bail investigations.
