ATTERIDGEVILLE - Police are combing an active crime scene in Atteridgeville, searching for a suspect accused of kidnapping a child and reportedly raping the mother.
The search is currently being conducted at a nearby river, where a pink school bag, believed to be that of the four-month-old child, was found.
A white doek was also found at the scene.
Allegations are that the mother and the child were lured by a pastor and his wife for a spiritual practice.
A construction worker who spoke to eNCA described the frantic moment after the mother arrived at their work site seeking help.
“She was crying that her child had been kidnapped. That was when we all came out in numbers, and cars rushed to the woods to help search,” he said.
Their search, however, yielded no results, but the worker alleged they had seen a suspect crossing the road.
“Some cars which spotted her asked what was happening, but she continued running. She was carrying a baby on her back," the worker added.
The search continues.
This is a developing story.