{
  "id": 14956726,
  "title": "Self-proclaimed pastor and wife abandon bail bid in baby’s death case",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/self-proclaimed-pastor-and-wife-abandon-bail-bid-in-babys-death-case",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T12:47:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/2026-10-16-self-proclaimed-pastor-and-wife-abandon-bail-bid-in-babys-death-case/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Caiphus Mkhawane, a self-proclaimed pastor and his wife, Amanda Manono Mnguni, have decided to give up their bail applications in the case of the murder of a four-month-old baby. The case involves allegations of rape, murder, human trafficking, kidnapping, and robbery. The baby's body was found in a shallow grave near the Hennops River. Mkhawane, 36, and Makhubela, 25, also face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and fraud. The three were arrested in October and appeared before the Atteridgeville Magistrates' Court on Friday.\n\nMkhawane and Mnguni are accused of taking out several funeral policies in the name of the victim. On October 7, the group traveled to the Hennops River under the pretense of performing religious rituals to free the victim from evil spirits and protect her children. Mkhawane left the victim with Makhubela while he went to the river. It is alleged that the pastor raped the victim and then killed the baby.\n\nThe victim managed to escape and alerted construction workers who contacted the police. Makhubela was arrested on October 7, Mnguni was arrested later the same day, and Mkhawane was arrested on October 10. Their bail applications have been abandoned, and the matter was postponed to October 23 for Makhubela to consult with her legal representative. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remains committed to prosecuting gender-based violence, femicide, human trafficking, and other serious violent crimes.",
  "summary": "Self-proclaimed pastor Caiphus Mkhawane, 36, and his wife, Amanda Manono Mnguni, 32, have withdrawn their bids for bail, while his other wife, Tsako Angel Makhubela, 25, is pressing ahead with her application in connection with the murder of a four-month-old baby.",
  "key_points": [
    "Self-proclaimed pastor Caiphus Mkhawane and wife Amanda Mnguni abandon bail bid.",
    "Baby's body found in shallow grave near Hennops River.",
    "Charges include murder, rape, human trafficking, kidnapping, and fraud."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}