JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 04: Cheryl Zondi during the launch of her foundation on December 04, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Zondi, 22, who is the first witness in the Nigerian pastor Tim Omotoso rape trial, launched her foundation to help women and children who have been abused by spiritual leaders. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Thulani Mbele)
Timothy Omotoso retrial: Cheryl Zondi expected to testify again [video]
As the retrial kicks off, it is expected that Cheryl Zondi will testify once more.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 04: Cheryl Zondi during the launch of her foundation on December 04, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Zondi, 22, who is the first witness in the Nigerian pastor Tim Omotoso rape trial, launched her foundation to help women and children who have been abused by spiritual leaders. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Thulani Mbele)
The case against Timothy Omotoso, the accused rapist and televangelist, kicked off for the second time at the Port Elizabeth High Court, on Tuesday morning.
A refresher on Timothy Omotoso
Omotoso currently stands accused of multiple charges of rape as well as running an illicit human trafficking ring that is blanketed by his church, the Jesus Dominion International Church.
The State’s star witness, Cheryl Zondi, won the hearts of many when she bravely stared into the eyes of her alleged abuser and unveiled the truth behind his charm.
According to the 22-year-old, behind Omotoso’s visage of faith laid a sadistic man who allegedly used the church to lure vulnerable women, like she was, into a human trafficking ring.
Why was the trial suspended?
Proceedings in the trial were halted by Omotoso’s defence in November when Advocate Peter Daubermann asked that presiding judge, Mandela Makaula, recuse himself.
The basis of this request was founded on what they saw as a trial that has already found Omotoso and his co-accused, Zukiswa Sitho and Lusanda Sulani, guilty.
Makaula was forced to remove himself from the case due to the perceived conflict of interest in his wife’s business dealings with the national prosecuting authority (NPA). The accommodation used by the state to house witnesses is a business ran by Makaula’s wife.
In his announcement, the judge revealed that he had no influence, whatsoever, on the dealings of his wife’s business, nor was he privy to any information about the state witnesses.
Will Cheryl Zondi have to testify again?
Sadly, the recusal of Makaula means that the 22-year-old might have to testify all over again and endure all of the pressure and pain of reliving that dark past in full view of the public.
The 22-year-old became a symbol of hope in the eyes of victims of abuse when she brazenly lifted the lid on a dark and twisted human trafficking ring that was allegedly run by the accused televangelist and his two co-accused, Sulani and Sitho.
Zondi’s testimony will be under immense scrutiny for any inconsistencies. However, any changes or additional information added to her testimony will hold no bearing to the outcome of the retrial since every bity of evidence that was submitted in the previous trial has been thrown out of court.
Watch: Timothy Omotoso supporters gather outside the court
The human trafficking and rape trial involving controversial Nigerian televangelist #TimothyOmotoso resumes this morning at Port Elizabeth High Court – before a new judge. A handful of #Omotoso supporters have started chanting outside the court ahead of the trail @AlgoaFMNews pic.twitter.com/0OIuqBAiJT
— Kwanele Mketeni (@KwaneleMketeni) July 30, 2019
