The alleged r@pe and human trafficking trial of Nigerian clergyman, Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused, Lusanda Sulani (41) and Zikiswa Sitho (33), has been adjourned to January 22, 2025, for a closing argument.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in a statement on Thursday, December 12, 2024, said the High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division, Gqeberha postponed the matter after the three accused took the stand in their defence, led by their attorney, and were cross-examined by the state.
Omotoso, 63, the senior pastor and founder of Jesus Dominion International, Durban, South Africa was arrested on April 20, 2017, for alleged r@pe and human trafficking.
Omotoso and his co-accused face 63 main and alternative charges related to contravention of the Sexual Offences Act. His alleged victims included girls as young as 13.
“The progress made in the last three days the case sat is remarkable because it has been marred by delays for almost eight years since the arrest of the trio. It follows a decision on previous applications by the televangelist for five special entries for a mistrial. Including an application made on 16 January 2024, where the defence made an application for the judge to reconsider her previous judgment on the application for discharge according to Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act,” the statement read.
Judge Irma Schoeman had previously dismissed their application for discharge, and the state was ready to proceed with the remaining proceedings in the trial, meaning that the accused must present their case and they will be subject to cross-examination by the state.
The numerous delays in the trial since the arrest of the Nigerian national, Omotoso, in April 2017, caused some witnesses to no longer want to proceed with giving evidence as they indicated they have since moved on with their lives and are not interested in reliving their experiences in court. That has led to the reduction of the charges from 63.
Omotoso, who was denied bail while the two South African women he is charged with are out on bail, is now facing charges of 32 counts, including racketeering, trafficking in persons, r@pe, and sexual assault.
It is alleged that Omotoso, who was addressed as “the man of God”, was the leader of the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church and his co-accused were his assistants. JDI had major branches in South Africa, Nigeria, and Israel, with Durban being its headquarters in the country.
The complainants were either congregants, employees or persons selected to take part in the activities of the church when they were recruited under the pretext that they would benefit spiritually or improve the quality of their lives.
Omotoso allegedly directly or indirectly through his co-accused, paid and arranged for the complainants to travel to his hotel in Durban, Israel, or Nigeria.
However, once the complainants arrived, Omotoso or his assistants would inform them of house rules which included that their cell phones be switched off or told not to contact male companions and were to further abide by his instructions.
The complainants and other female church members alleged that they were kept in one room where they also slept.
They further alleged that Omotoso would select one of the complainants to go to his private bedroom where he allegedly r@ped or s3xually assaulted them.
"The state remains committed to ensuring that this case is finalised as soon as possible so that justice is served for the victims," NPA added.
