Timothy Omotoso is the senior pastor of Jesus Dominion International, based in Durban, South Africa. He is currently in prison and on trial at the Port Elizabeth high court for rape and human trafficking. Pastor Omotoso is alleged to have been in the habit of first grooming his victims and then molesting them from about the age of 14.
The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has dismissed an application by the controversial pastor Timothy Omotoso’s legal team. Omotoso’s trial is expected to resume in the Port Elizabeth High court on Monday. It is expected that the court will hear the findings of the SCA after Omotoso’s legal team applied for leave to appeal a decision by Judge Irma Schoeman.
Omotoso’s lawyer, Peter Daubermann argued that the Port Elizabeth court does not have the jurisdiction to hear evidence led by the state; this relates to charges for the alleged offenses on the indictment, which happened elsewhere in the country and abroad. However, the court does have the jurisdiction to hear all the charges on the indictment.
Daubermann also wants more details from the State, about the exact charges against Omotoso and his co-accused, including evidence that backs those charges. In dismissing the application, Judge Schoeman said the directive was sufficient and was in line with the provisions set out in the Criminal Procedures Act.
Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho are facing a total of 97 charges, including human trafficking and rape.
