A pastor and his two wives accused of offences linked to the alleged rape of a mother and the murder of her four-month-old baby appeared briefly in the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court on Monday, as residents turned out in numbers to fill the court gallery.

Pastor Caiphus Mkhawane, 36, Tsako Angel Makhubela, 25, and Amanda Manono Mnguni, 32, face a series of serious charges arising from an incident allegedly committed against the woman and her infant.

The case was postponed to Friday, October 16, for legal aid representation and bail investigations.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), all three accused face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and fraud.

Mkhawane and Makhubela face additional charges of human trafficking, premeditated murder, rape, two counts of kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The allegations outlined by the prosecution paint a disturbing picture of how a purported religious ritual allegedly ended in the death of an infant and the sexual assault of the child’s mother.

It is alleged that during August 2026, the accused took out several funeral policies in the victim’s name.

The NPA alleges that on October 7, Mkhawane, Makhubela and the victim travelled to the Hennops River under the pretext of performing religious rituals to free the woman from evil spirits and protect her children.

Upon arriving near the river, the two allegedly instructed the woman to undress before tying her up.

Makhubela allegedly washed the victim using water from a bucket before the pastor took the woman to the river, leaving the infant with Makhubela.

According to the prosecution, Mkhawane allegedly washed the woman again when they reached the river before raping her.

After the alleged rape, the pastor reportedly returned to fetch the baby from Makhubela.

The two then allegedly went into the bushes, where they killed the infant.

The mother reportedly managed to escape and sought help from construction workers in the vicinity, who assisted her in contacting the police.

The allegations have drawn attention to the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly the claim that the woman was taken to the river under the guise of a religious ritual intended to protect her children.

Arrests followed investigation

According to the NPA, Erasmia detectives launched an investigation into the incident.

Makhubela was arrested on October 7 after the victim allegedly identified her. Mnguni was arrested later that day, while Mkhawane was arrested on October 10.

The three appeared in court on Monday, where proceedings were brief before the matter was postponed.

The postponement will allow for legal aid representation and further bail investigations before the accused return to court on Friday.

The charges against Mnguni differ from those faced by Mkhawane and Makhubela, who are accused of additional serious offences, including rape and premeditated murder.

The allegations have not yet been tested in court, and all three accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

NPA vows accountability

NPA regional spokesperson for the Gauteng Division in Pretoria, Lumka Mahanjana, said the prosecution remained committed to ensuring that perpetrators of gender-based violence and related offences were held accountable through the criminal justice system.

The case is expected to return to the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court on October 16.

The proceedings will continue as the legal representation and bail processes are addressed.