Omotoso: NPA postpones announcement update
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has postponed its anticipated announcement regarding the next legal steps in the case against controversial pastor Timothy Omotoso.
The authority was initially scheduled to announce on Monday whether it would appeal the Eastern Cape High Court’s ruling that saw Omotoso acquitted of all charges.
However, the NPA has now deferred the media briefing to an unspecified later date, offering no clear timeline for when a decision will be communicated.
This delay has intensified public scrutiny of the NPA since its failure to secure a conviction at the Gqeberha High Court last month.
The Nigerian televangelist was acquitted in April of all charges of rape, human trafficking, and sexual assault.
He had been accused of coercing female congregants into sexual acts and preventing them from leaving his church premises.
His co-accused, senior church members Lusanda Solani and Zikiswa Sitho, were also acquitted, prompting backlash from civil society and women's rights groups.
In her ruling, Judge Irma Schoeman sharply criticised the prosecution’s handling of the case, stating it had failed to present a credible and coherent argument, lacked corroborating evidence, and demonstrated limited familiarity with the witness testimonies.
“Cross-examination lasted less than a morning and was just a synopsis of the accusations. It was shallow and lacked intent to uncover the truth,” she said.
Omotoso is scheduled to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court today in a separate case, this time relating to alleged violations of South Africa’s immigration laws.
He was rearrested on Saturday.
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