The trial of Nigerian televangelist and founder of Jesus Dominion International Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused has been moved to November 13 for defence to make its case.
The trio appeared in the high court of South Africa sitting in Gqeberha on Tuesday.
During the proceedings, the court dismissed the accused’s application for discharge after the prosecution had presented solid evidence against Omotoso, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho.
The trio faces 32 charges including rape, sexual assault and trafficking of persons.
The trial experienced numerous delays since the arrest of the Nigerian pastor in April 2017, resulting in some witnesses no longer showing interest to give evidence, saying they had since moved on with their lives and did not want to relive the trauma in court.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Eastern Cape said the state has reduced the charges from 63 to 32.
“Omotoso, who was denied bail while the two South African women he is charged with are out on bail, is now facing charges 32 counts including racketeering, trafficking in persons, rape, and sexual assault,” said NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali.
It is alleged that Omotoso, who was addressed as the man of God who had powers to destroy and change people’s lives, and his co-accused who were his assistants, connived in numerous rape cases.
Recruited under false pretense
According to testimonies led in court – congregants, employees and young women were recruited under the pretense that they would benefit spiritually or see improvement in the quality of their lives.
Instead, they were selected to take part in sexual activities for Timothy Omotoso’s pleasure.
“Omotoso allegedly directly or indirectly through his co-accused paid and arranged for the complainants to travel to his hotel, Durban, Israel, or Nigeria,” Tyali said.
“However, once the complainants arrived, Omotoso or his assistants would inform them of house rules which included that their cellphones be switched off
“They would be told not to contact male companions and were to further abide by his instructions. The complainants and other female church members were allegedly kept in one room where they also slept.
“Omotoso would allegedly select one of the complainants to go to his private bedroom where he raped or sexually assaulted them.”
His church had major branches in South Africa with Durban being its headquarters. Other branches of the church were in Nigeria and Israel.
