^{By STAFF REPORTER}

^{14 October 2026 – A pastor and two women have appeared before the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court facing serious charges, including conspiracy to commit murder and fraud, following an alleged incident involving a woman and her four-month-old baby. The accused are Pastor Caiphus Mkhawane, 36, Tsako Angel Makhubela, 25, and Amanda Manono Mnguni, 32.}

^{The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said all three accused face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and fraud. Mahanjana said Mkhawane and Makhubela face additional charges of human trafficking, premeditated murder, rape, two counts of kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances.}

^{“It is alleged that during August 2026, the accused took out several funeral policies in the name of the victim, who is the mother of the deceased infant.}

^{“On 7 October 2026, Mkhawane, Makhubela and the victim allegedly travelled to the Hennops River under the pretext of performing religious rituals intended to free the woman from evil spirits and protect her children,” she said.}

^{Mahanjana further said upon arriving near the river, the two accused allegedly instructed the victim to undress, tied her up and washed her with water from a bucket. She added that the pastor subsequently took the victim to the river, leaving the baby with Makhubela.}

^{“When they arrived at the river, it is alleged that the pastor washed the victim again and raped her. After the rape, the pastor went to take the child from the wife and they both went to the bushes, where they killed the child.}

^{“The victim allegedly managed to escape and reported the incident to nearby construction workers, who assisted her in contacting the police,” said Mahanjana.}

^{She said following an investigation by Erasmia detectives, Makhubela was arrested on 7 October after the victim allegedly identified her. Mahanjana said Mnguni was arrested later that day, while Mkhawane was arrested on 10 October 2026.}

^{“The matter was postponed to 16 October 2026, for legal aid representation and bail investigations. The NPA remained committed to ensuring that perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and related offences were held accountable through the criminal justice system,” she said.}

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