Mzansi is shocked as Timothy Omotoso acquitted after found not guilty of all charges

by Nomonde Simelane

April 2017 saw the commencement of pastor Timothy Omotoso’s case, where he faced serious charges such as racketeering, human trafficking, rape and more. Mzansi has been shocked to find out that the Nigerian figure has been acquitted and found not guilty of all charges.

Pastor Timothy, who is largely known and referred to by his surname, gained notoriety when he and his co-accused Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho were labelled as predators for their alleged role in the recruiting, grooming and assaulting of victims from the Nigerian pastor’s church.

This case grew to become quite notable as many citizens followed the proceedings carefully due to its horrific and complex nature. Omotoso was initially indicted on a total of 97 counts, which were later reduced to 63, and also included charges of sexual assault and contravention of the Immigration Act.

The case, which has spanned a total of eight years, has finally wrapped up after Judge Irma Schoeman of the Eastern Cape High Court acquitted Omotoso and his co-accused, citing the prosecution’s failure to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. According to Judge Irma Nceba Ntelwa, who served as the prosecutor lacked depth and was of “poor quality”.

The judge’s decision has sent shock waves across the country and has elicited some strong reactions from the public, as a significant number of citizens believe that the judge made the incorrect decision, and that the correct decision was the alternative choice. According to these users who are visibly upset and frustrated, the decision by the judge is merely a blow to victims of rape and GBV across the country, as the outcome is not particularly a declaration of innocence, but rather a reflection of the prosecutions shortcomings.

Others highlight the horrible timing of this decision, citing movements such as the #JusticeForCweCwe campaign that has flooded social media, in order to shine a light on the high rates of Gender Based Violence (GBV) against women and children in the country.

These users believe that similarly to cases that have come before, the justice system has failed victims, and continues to perpetuate rape culture, misogyny and sexism in South Africa.

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