Alleged Timothy Omotoso victims actively reclaiming their power

JOHANNESBURG - The women who accused controversial televangelist Timothy Omotoso of rape and sexual assault, say the protracted ordeal turned their lives upside down as they continue in what they say is their bid to reclaim their power.

During a press briefing held in Braamfontein on Thursday, the witnesses who testified in the Omotoso trial read out a message directed at the leader of Jesus Dominion International Church, accusing him of leaving them with emotional scars.

Omotoso was acquitted of the all charges - including sexual assault, human trafficking and racketeering - levelled against him along with his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho, following an eight-year-long legal battle.

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But the women who allegedly fell victims to the religious institution have accused Omotoso of preying on young women and using religion as a smoke screen.

“Timothy, you left us carrying the weight of something we never asked for, something we never deserved, and you walked away like nothing happened. Be reminded each day of your life how weak you are, how you preyed on young girls and how you use young girls as your front. You do not get to take our silence ever again. You don’t define us and you never will.”