Activists say Omotoso verdict failed to show GBVF survivors dignity

April 3, 2025 45

Anti-Gender-Based Violence (GBV) advocacy groups say the verdict in televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, and his co-accused’s case is an indictment on South Africa’s criminal justice system.

Women For Change believes that expecting Omotoso’s alleged victims to feel safe now that he is free is delusional.

The Eastern Cape High Court in Gheberha acquitted the televangelist and his co-accused of over 30 rape, human trafficking, and racketeering charges, saying the state failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had committed the acts they were accused of.

Women for Change says the implication of the verdict is disheartening as it undermines the validity of the voices of survivors and victims.

The non-profit organisation’s Bulelwa Adonis believes that the court’s decision will also discourage victims who might want to open a case against someone. “It’s a clear indication of why so many cases are underreported,” adds Adonis.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Monitor South Africa says one would expect that, in a country with high rates of rape, the criminal justice system would show zero tolerance for sexual violence.

The NPO’s founder, Omogolo Taunyane-Mnguni, says it’s unfortunate that it also failed to show women and children who are survivors of this type of violence any dignity.

Gender and development specialist, Sixolile Ngcobo, has also weighed in, expressing frustration with the court outcome.

Ngcobo says the verdict shows gaps and challenges within the justice system.

“From the point when the cases were reported to the point when evidence was collected and also when the statements were written and the presentations that were made in court,” explains Ngcobo.

Civil rights movement, Not In My Name, shares the same view, saying this case shows that there is a huge need for more specialised sexual offenses courts in South Africa.

According to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, 116 regional courts were upgraded to sexual offenses courts in April 2022.

Not In My Name’s secretary-general, Themba Masango, believes that the outcome of the case also exposed the gap in the training of legal and medical personnel to handle such cases.

Another non-profit organisation, the Soul City Institute, has labeled the verdict as a reflection of the failure of South Africa’s justice system to protect victims of GBV.

Soul City’s Akona Zibonti says the ruling will discourage other victims from speaking out.

Some have called for the head of the NPA boss, Shamila Bathohi, after the judge laid the blame at the prosecutor’s door, saying the team didn’t show intention to uncover the truth.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has requested a detailed report from Batohi on the matter. Written by Nokwazi Qumbisa

Written by: Lindiwe Mabena

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