Slain baby Promise’s family knew accused pastor for years
JOHANNESBURG — The family of four-month-old Promise, who was killed near the Hennops River last week, says her mother had known the self-proclaimed pastor accused in the case for several years and had previously approached him for religious guidance.
The family’s account emerged as preparations were made to bury the infant in Diepsloot on Wednesday, a week after the alleged attack on the child and her mother.
Speaking to Eyewitness News, the mother’s eldest daughter said the man had recently requested personal information, ostensibly to register her mother for food parcels. She said her mother became suspicious and supplied her correct names but an incorrect identity number.
The account adds to the background of a prosecution involving allegations of funeral-policy fraud, an attack presented as a religious ritual and the killing of the infant.
Caiphus Mkhawane, 36, appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court alongside Tsako Angel Makhubela, 25, and Amanda Manono Mnguni, 32.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, all three 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 State alleges that several funeral policies were taken out in the mother’s name in August. Prosecutors are investigating allegations that the accused intended to benefit financially from her death.
On 7 October, the mother and her baby allegedly accompanied Mkhawane and Makhubela to the Hennops River for rituals purportedly intended to remove evil spirits and protect her children.
The prosecution alleges that the mother was restrained and sexually assaulted, and that the infant was subsequently killed. The woman managed to free herself and sought assistance at a nearby construction site.
Police were alerted, and the baby’s body was later recovered from a shallow grave near the river.
Makhubela and Mnguni were arrested on 7 October, while Mkhawane was arrested on 10 October following a police search.
The three remain in custody. Their case was postponed to 16 October for Legal Aid representation and bail investigations.
The family’s account of its longstanding acquaintance with Mkhawane forms part of the background to the case. The criminal allegations against the accused have yet to be tested at trial.
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