Gauteng police are hunting a pastor accused of raping a woman and killing her four-month-old baby, whose body was found in a shallow grave near the Hennops River on Wednesday.

Police have opened cases of kidnapping, rape and murder. The pastor has not been named publicly, and no one has been charged.

Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the investigation was under way and the manhunt for the pastor continued.

What police say happened

According to preliminary information from police, the woman, 43, travelled on Wednesday to an area near the Hennops River and the R511 for a ritual. She was accompanied by the pastor and his 24-year-old wife.

Nevhuhulwi said the pastor's wife stayed behind with the baby while the pastor and the woman walked towards the river.

Police allege the woman was raped and tied up there. She freed herself and went to a nearby construction site, where a private security company was alerted and police were called.

"The victim managed to free herself and sought assistance at a nearby construction site," Nevhuhulwi said.

"The 24-year-old wife of the pastor was subsequently located and questioned by police. She led investigators to a shallow grave where the baby's body was found."

Police have not said how the baby died. The circumstances remain under investigation.

Manhunt under way

A multidisciplinary team has been deployed to find the pastor. It includes crime scene management, search and rescue, general detectives, detectives from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, and drone operators.

The pastor is believed to have lived in Diepsloot with the woman and her baby. He remains at large. Police have appealed to anyone who knows where he is to come forward.

Anyone with information can call the SAPS Crime Stop line on 08600 10111.

The woman will be offered medical examinations and counselling by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit.

Lesufi condemns "savage act of barbarism"

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi condemned the killing and the alleged rape.

"We condemn this savage act of barbarism that has taken an infant from a family, violated an innocent woman," he said. "Those responsible must face the full force of the law."

Lesufi said the case underlined the need to tackle gender-based violence and crimes against vulnerable people, and that the province would keep working with police and communities.

"Anyone with information that can help locate the suspect should contact the police immediately," he said.

The pastor's wife is the only other person police have linked to the case so far. Reports differ on whether she has been arrested. Police have said only that she was located and questioned. The pastor's name, age and church have not been released.

A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Anyone affected by gender-based violence can call the national GBV Command Centre free on 0800 428 428, 24 hours a day.