‘Pastor lured me to a river for ritual, raped me and killed my baby’ - Diepsloot mom
A pastor has been arrested in Diepsloot, South Africa, following allegations that he raped a woman and murdered her infant daughter during a fake spiritual ritual. Community members identified the suspect, who was hiding in a local tavern.
Why it matters
This case underscores the dangers of predatory behavior disguised as religious practice and the role of community vigilance in law enforcement.
A 36-year-old pastor who had gone into hiding after allegedly raping a 43-year-old woman and killing her three-month-old daughter was arrested in Diepsloot after residents recognised him at a tavern where he had sought shelter from the rain.
The pastor was allegedly wearing a disguise when he entered the tavern on Saturday afternoon, days after the killing of baby Promise, whose body was allegedly buried in a shallow grave in the Hennops area.
Community members reportedly recognised him from images and warnings circulating on social media and local WhatsApp groups before alerting police, who arrested him.
His arrest followed a harrowing ordeal in which the mother alleges she was lured to the bushes by the pastor under the pretence of a spiritual cleansing ritual.
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