JOHANNESBURG - A so-called pastor and his two wives have appeared before the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with the murder of a four-month-old baby.
Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana alleges that the three accused had taken out a funeral policy on the child and were planning to claim against the baby's death.
“That was their motive, to kill the victim,” she said.
According to Mahanjana, all three suspects before the court face differing charges.
One of the wives, accused number two, faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and fraud.
READ | So-called pastor and two wives appear in court over baby's death
The other wife, alongside the pastor, faces similar charges, including premeditated murder, kidnapping, murder, human trafficking and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The matter will be back in court on 16 October for bail and legal aid.
“You must understand that today the legal aid was not in court, hence why we could not proceed with the matter,” she added.
Police say the man and his two wives accompanied the 43-year-old woman and her baby to the Hennops River in Pretoria last week for a ritual.
The man allegedly went ahead with the woman, leaving the infant in the care of his wives.
READ: Manhunt launched for pastor after baby found dead in Atteridgeville
Police believe the woman was raped before she managed to escape.
The baby’s body was later discovered in a shallow grave near the river.