By JOHANNESBURG — Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has strongly welcomed the apprehension of a pastor allegedly connected to the brutal murder of a four-month-old infant, hailing the breakthrough as a vital stride toward securing justice for the grieving family.
The high-profile case sent shockwaves through the province following the tragic discovery of the baby’s body buried in a shallow grave near the Hennops River. Law enforcement units tracked down the main suspect, a 36-year-old pastor, who was found hiding in a back room within a Diepsloot informal settlement.
The investigation has also seen the arrests of co-accused individuals, including the suspect’s two wives.
Describing the infant’s death as deeply disturbing and heart-breaking, Premier Lesufi extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
“The arrest is an important step in ensuring that this tragic matter is brought before the courts and that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law,” Lesufi stated. “We trust that the criminal justice system will be allowed to take its course and that the family will ultimately find some measure of justice.”
The Premier asserted that positions of religious leadership carry a profound moral obligation to protect society’s most vulnerable, emphasizing that societal titles must never place any individual above the law.
The Gauteng Provincial Government has commended law enforcement agencies for their diligent investigative work and urged the public to refrain from speculation or circulating unverified details while the legal process unfolds. Emphasizing a collective responsibility, the administration reiterated that safeguarding children must remain a paramount priority for families, communities, religious bodies, and the state alike.
