After nearly eight years behind bars, Nigerian televangelist and senior pastor of Jesus Dominion International, Durban, South Africa, Timothy Omotoso, and his co-accused, who were facing over 30 charges including rape, sexual assault and human trafficking, have been acquitted.
Omotoso and two senior members of his church, Lusanda Solani and Zukiswa Sitho, were accused of luring female congregants to the church, forcing them to perform sexual acts and restricting their freedom to leave.
The trial, which gripped the whole of South Africa since 2017, saw the state present harrowing testimony from alleged victims, including claims that some were as young as 14 when the abuse begun.
However, the Gqeberha High Court, in Eastern Cape, on Wednesday, ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, citing contradictory testimony, weak evidence and procedural irregularities in its handling of the case.
In her judgement, Justice Irma Schoeman, found Omotoso and his co-accused, Sulani and Sitho, not guilty, saying the state had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Schoeman said when deciding whether the state had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, the matter fell into the category where “in my view the explanations of the accused are improbable and I don’t subjectively believe them.”
However, due to the uncertainty of the state’s actions and the lack of proper cross-examination, the judge held that she could not find that “the accused’s versions are so improbable that they cannot reasonably, possibly be true.”
Omotoso was arrested in April 2017 and had been in custody since then, until his acquittal on Wednesday. Sulani and Sitho were out on bail for the duration of the trial.
Now 66 years old, Omotoso welcomed the verdict acquitting him of all charges.
“The only thing that I can say is that I thank God, I give him all praise. I am turning 67 in July. I have been in prison for eight years,” the televangelist said.
But the ANC Women’s League, who have been supporting the victims in the case, have expressed their disappointment over the matter.
Eastern Cape chairperson, Ntandokazi Capa, said that while they accept the judgement, they will continue to support the victims.
Capa added that they are hopeful the NPA will appeal the case as it is only based on technicalities.
Omotoso, according to reports, would be deported to Nigeria.
