THE rape trial of Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused resumed in Gqeberha with a new prosecutor on Monday, 7 August.
Televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused, Lusanda Sulani (41) and Zikiswa Sitho (33), resumed in the Gqeberha High Court after yet another failed attempt by the defence to have the case dismissed.
The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) turned down the defence's application for a special entry, where they alleged irregularities and illegalities in the proceedings.
NPA spokesman Luxolo Tyali said: "The trial has experienced numerous delays since the arrest of the 63-year-old Nigerian national in April 2017. The trial saw a new prosecutor, Advocate Mduduzi Mzila, lead the testimony of the ninth state witness, Thozamile Ngeva. Ngeva joined Omotoso's church when he was 14 years old.
"The three are facing 63 charges, including racketeering, trafficking in persons, rape and sexual assault. Omotoso was denied bail numerous times while his co-accused are out on bail," she said.
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"It is the state's case 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. 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," he said.
Tyali said 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.
"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," he said.
The trial has been adjourned to Tuesday, 8 August.
