'Man of God' slits son's throat

Johannesburg - A South African pastor from the Eastern Cape province is under police guard in hospital after he allegedly murdered his 2-year-old son and tried to take his own life in Kwazakhele, near Port Elizabeth.

The Herald reported on Wednesday that the 29-year-old pastor allegedly slit his son's throat, and tried to cut his own after he had an argument with his wife on Tuesday morning.

Police said the man threatened his wife with the knife before locking himself and the boy inside the bedroom. Inspector Dumile Gwavu told The Herald that neighbours broke down the door of the room.

"The little boy was already dead and the man stood over the body praying and preaching before slitting his own throat," Gwavu said.

The couple were described by a neighbour as "quiet, respectful and respectable".

Neighbour Buyiselwa Gwangqana said the couple kept to themselves.

"I didn't know much about them, except that the husband is a preacher and the wife does not work. We would just greet each other. He [the boy] loved playing with my 6-year-old son in our yard," she said.

Gwavu said the pastor would appear in court after he had recovered.