Women who accused Omotoso of rape criticise NPA for failing to secure a conviction

JOHANNESBURG - The women who accused controversial televangelist, Timothy Pmotoso, of rape and sexual assault have lashed out at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for failing to secure a conviction in their case.

The shortcomings of the NPA were laid bare earlier in April when Judge Irma Schoeman criticised the prosecuting authority for failing to prove Omotoso's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Omotoso was acquitted after an eight-year long legal battle after several women accused the leader of the Jesus Dominion International Church of raping and assaulting them with the assistance of his followers.

The cross-examination was shallow and lacking the intention to uncover the truth was one of the findings of the high court that acquitted the controversial televangelist.

The women who testified in the highly publicised trial briefed the media in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Speaking for the first time, the witnesses labelled the acquittal as a betrayal.

Lerato Msibi said they had been failed by the justice system.

"This is our truth, and it is very unfortunate that we have to continue our lives with no justice. The perpetrator is free, and his life continues. Many things were done wrong from the beginning. We do not want to mention names, but we repeat, the system has failed us very dismally."

The Cultural, Religious and Linguistic (CRL) Rights Commission has meanwhile announced that it would be investigating the matter with other chapter nine institutions.

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