Self-proclaimed Pastor Caiphus Mkhawane and his wife, Amanda Manono Mnguni, have abandoned their bail applications in the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court, where they face charges linked to the alleged murder of an infant and a series of other serious offences.

Mkhawane, 36, and Mnguni, 32, appeared alongside their co-accused, Tsako Angel Makhubela, 25, who intends to proceed with her bail application.

The case relates to allegations that the accused lured a woman to the Hennops River under the pretext of performing religious rituals before the woman was allegedly raped and her infant child killed.

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

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

The NPA said the matter had been postponed to October 23 to allow Makhubela to consult with her legal representative regarding her bail application.

The allegations against the accused relate to events that reportedly began in August 2026, when several funeral policies were allegedly taken out in the name of the victim, who is the mother of the deceased infant.

The prosecution alleges that on October 7, Mkhawane, Makhubela and the victim travelled to the Hennops River for what the victim had been led to believe were religious rituals intended to free her from evil spirits and protect her children.

Upon arriving near the river, the two accused allegedly instructed the victim to undress, tied her up and washed her using water from a bucket.

According to the allegations outlined by the NPA, Makhubela remained with the infant while Mkhawane took the victim to the river.

The pastor allegedly washed the woman again before raping her.

After the alleged rape, Mkhawane reportedly returned to fetch the infant from Makhubela. The two then allegedly went into nearby bushes, where they killed the child.

The victim allegedly managed to escape and sought help from construction workers in the area.

The workers reportedly assisted her in contacting the police, leading to an investigation by Erasmia detectives.

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 accused are now before the court as the prosecution pursues the case.

The abandonment of bail applications by Mkhawane and Mnguni means they will not pursue release on bail through their current applications. Makhubela, however, intends to continue with her application, which is expected to be addressed when the matter returns to court.

The allegations have yet to be tested in court, and the accused are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

NPA regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, representing the Gauteng Division in Pretoria, said the prosecution remained committed to pursuing cases involving gender-based violence and femicide, human trafficking and other serious violent crimes.

The authority said it would continue prosecuting matters supported by sufficient evidence and pursuing justice without fear, favour or prejudice.

The case returns to the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court on October 23, when Makhubela is expected to consult with her legal representative and the court will deal with the next steps in her bail application.