The racketeering, human trafficking, rape, and sexual assault case against televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Solani and Zikiswa Sitho, has been postponed to April for judgment, nearly eight years after their arrest.
The accused face at least 32 charges related to allegations of exploiting their positions within the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, the victims were lured under the pretense of spiritual guidance and personal development.
Omotoso and his associates allegedly arranged for complainants to travel to Durban, Israel, or Nigeria, where they were isolated, forced to turn off their phones, and prohibited from contacting male companions. Victims were reportedly housed together and taken individually to Omotoso’s private quarters, where some were allegedly raped or sexually assaulted.
Delays in the trial have been caused by repeated applications from Omotoso’s defense team to dismiss the case or declare a mistrial. Most recently, an application was filed on January 16, 2024, asking the judge to reconsider earlier rulings that rejected their requests for discharge under the Criminal Procedure Act.
Judge Irma Schoeman denied the application, requiring the defense to present their case and submit to cross-examination. Prolonged delays have led to a reduction in the number of charges, as some complainants chose to withdraw their testimonies to move forward with their lives.
