Support and controversy surround ongoing saga of Timothy Omotoso
The legal battle surrounding Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso continues to polarise South Africa, as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Eastern Cape has officially filed for an appeal against the recent High Court ruling in Gqeberha.
Last month, Judge Irma Schoeman cleared Omotoso and his two co-accused of multiple rape and human trafficking charges.
The decision sparked immediate backlash, particularly from women's rights groups and the African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL), who argue that the justice system has once again failed victims of gender-based violence.
NPA spokesperson, Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga, stated that the appeal decision was not taken lightly. 'This is a complex case involving a voluminous transcript. However, after careful analysis by a team of experienced prosecutors and external legal counsel, we believe there are reasonable prospects for a successful appeal,' Mhaga explained.
The NPA has now taken the first procedural steps by filing papers with the registrar of the High Court, seeking clarification on Judge Schoeman's factual findings. Only after this clarification can the NPA move forward with a formal appeal based on a question of law, as per Section 319 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Yet, amid the legal intricacies and public outcry, a perplexing and controversial element persists: Timothy Omotoso still enjoys a surprising amount of support from young South African women. Outside court proceedings, groups of predominantly young female supporters have consistently rallied behind the pastor.
Chanting and holding signs declaring his innocence, they have become a visible and vocal counterforce to the outrage expressed by civil society. Some of these women cite their experiences at his church, claiming he changed their lives, healed them spiritually, and offered hope in desperate times.
Others argue that the media and justice system are targeting him unfairly because of his foreign nationality and high profile. This unwavering support from young women has baffled and disheartened many activists and observers. ANCWL deputy provincial secretary Nomakhosazana Nongqayi openly criticised the continued in-camera court proceedings and Omotoso's presence in South Africa.
'The justice system is not only protecting the accused, it is excluding the very people it claims to defend — women,' she stated. 'How can the community be expected to trust a system that keeps its doors closed while perpetrators walk free?'
Adding fuel to the controversy is Omotoso's unresolved immigration status.
Now facing charges of being in the country illegally, the televangelist's legal troubles are far from over. Meanwhile, the NPA is also investigating potential misconduct by both past and current prosecution teams, with disciplinary actions on the table.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
32 minutes ago
- IOL News
'Unacceptable': R1. 4 billion spent on consultants as service delivery continues to falter for South Africans
Johannesburg residents queue for water as ongoing water shortages persist pointing to a lack of planning and service delivery issues. the The latest Auditor-General's 2023/24 report found that 59% of municipal financial statements contained material misstatements - despite more than R1.4 billion being spent on consultants. Image: Bhekikhaya Mabaso / Independent Newspapers Cogta Committee chairperson Dr Zweli Mkhize has lambasted the deepening governance and financial crises in South African municipalities. Speaking at a committee briefing, Mkhize cited widespread failures in financial management, leadership, and service delivery. He called for urgent and coordinated action across all tiers of government. Describing local government as 'under immense strain,' Mkhize referenced the Auditor-General's 2023/24 report, which found that 59% of municipal financial statements contained material misstatements - despite more than R1.4 billion being spent on consultants. 'It's unacceptable that such exorbitant spending yields so little value,' Mkhize said, noting that municipalities already employ permanent staff for this work. He revealed that 113 municipalities are operating with unfunded budgets. 'This amounts to planning for failure. It undermines infrastructure delivery, leads to poor project execution, delays, cost overruns, and often substandard workmanship,' he said. Only 16% of municipalities met basic governance standards, while 84% failed to meet the conditions of a national debt relief programme. 'This is not just an audit report. It's a mirror held up to our governance structures,' Mkhize said, blaming poor audit outcomes on political failures, lack of accountability, and a growing culture of impunity. He criticised the continued use of uncompetitive procurement practices and illegal awarding of contracts to government employees: 'The rules exist, but enforcement is failing. This must stop.' Mkhize announced that Parliament will intensify oversight, especially in the worst-performing municipalities. 'The community is no longer interested in excuses,' he said. 'We are calling for performance, consequences, and the prioritisation of quality service delivery.' Mkhize also highlighted the need for structural reform over crisis management: 'We cannot afford to normalise failure. We must shift from analysis to action, from recognition to consequence.' Mkhize noted that the Portfolio Committee on Cogta will continue to lead efforts to restore the credibility, capability and constitutional purpose of local government through firm oversight and unwavering commitment to service delivery. In a statement and response to the 2023/2024 audit outcomes, the South African Local Government Association (Salga) welcomed the Auditor-General's report and praised municipalities showing improvement. Salga spokesperson Tebogo Mosala said: 'The increase in clean audits from 34 in 2022/23 to 41 in 2023/24 is commendable and reflects the commitment of municipal leadership to uphold financial discipline.' SALGA noted that 55% of municipalities received unqualified or clean audits, accounting for over R378 billion (66%) of the local government budget, an indication that a majority of public funds are handled with 'a degree of accountability.' However, Mosala was clear that serious problems remain: 'Salga remains deeply concerned that 45% of municipalities received audit outcomes that fall below the standard. The non-submission of financial statements and recurrence of fruitless and wasteful expenditure must be decisively addressed.' Salga echoed the call for stronger leadership, highlighting that improved audit outcomes correlate with capable and ethical appointments in key roles like municipal managers and CFOs. Mosala added that municipalities must also address the R405 billion owed to them by consumers, including other government departments, which severely compromises their financial health. Salga also stressed the need to reform the fiscal framework, pointing out the mismatch between municipalities' responsibilities and the only 9.1% of nationally raised revenue they receive. Adding to the concern, Matthew George, ActionSA's Parliamentary Head of Media, criticised the chronic over-reliance on external consultants: 'ActionSA has consistently expressed our opposition to the widespread use of external consultants to perform functions that should be carried out by professionals employed within municipalities. The continued reliance on such consultants is a damning indictment of the failure to build and retain internal capacity in local government.' George argued that the solution is already available through existing frameworks: 'The solution is clear: the employment of skilled financial administrators, as already provided for in existing frameworks, and an end to the appointment of unqualified and unscrupulous individuals. These appointments often serve only to obscure financial reporting and shield financial mismanagement from proper scrutiny.' While supporting legislative and oversight reform, George emphasised enforcement as the real missing link: 'While ActionSA recognises the potential value of legislative or oversight reforms, we believe that the greater issue lies in the lack of enforcement of existing mechanisms, which for too long have been treated as suggestive rather than obligatory.' He added that ActionSA is committed to pursuing legislation on consequence management, along with further measures aimed at professionalising and depoliticising the public service. Dr Harlan Cloete, Research Fellow at the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies at the University of the Free State, provided deeper insight into the systemic nature of the crisis. On municipalities' reliance on consultants, Cloete said:'There's a genuine crisis of confidence within municipalities. You have people in positions who are not necessarily qualified. Political instability spills over into the administration, creating more dysfunction. There's a lack of both capacity and capability.' He noted that despite the Skills Development Act being in place since 1998, municipalities have failed to cultivate talent from within. 'That we cannot grow our own is really an indictment on the system.' On building internal capacity, Cloete pointed to integrated development plans (IDPs) and workplace skills plans as existing tools. 'You have to start with what you have. I've seen people move from interns to CFOs through structured internal development. The frameworks are there,the problem is execution.' Cloete stressed that training alone is not enough:'Training is often seen as the beginning and end. But what's needed is coaching, mentoring, and long-term institutional development.' He warned of the consequences for sustainability and credibility:'You cannot outsource responsibility. It's easy to bring in consultants to solve short-term problems, but the Skills Development Act calls for a long-term view. Leadership matters. Where there's a committed CFO, municipal manager, or mayor, things can turn around.' Cloete also referenced his recent research into the Municipal Staff Regulations of 2021. 'We conducted 240 interviews across 32 municipalities. These regulations aim to professionalise local government. But many municipalities aren't listening or acting. There's little consequence management.' He noted the review of the White Paper on Local Government, but added: 'It identifies nine key challenges. What's missing is the tenth: the institutional ability to manage the development of people. We have good people, but they don't get the opportunities. This lack is what perpetuates the dependency on consultants. IOL Politics
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa calls for convention to set agenda for national dialogue
An Eminent Persons Group, including figures like Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Siya Kolisi and Dr John Kani, will guide the national dialogue process. President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a national convention to set the agenda for a national dialogue. Picture: The Presidency. President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a national convention to set the agenda for a national dialogue which will 'chart a way for the country and drive progress towards Vision 2030.' The national convention is expected to take place on the 15th of August. National dialogue In his announcement on Tuesday night, Ramaphosa said the initiative has been in discussion by a number of leaders in the country and many other people for some time. Ramaphosa said the national dialogue will drive progress towards the country's Vision 2030 and lay the foundation for the next phase of South Africa's National Development Plan. 'We expect that the National Convention will finalise a compact that outlines the roles and responsibilities of all South Africans'. Thabo Mbeki The national dialogue was first mooted by former president Thabo Mbeki on the eve of the country's national and provincial elections in May 2024. Mbeki, while on the campaign trail, said he made a suggestion to the ANC to convene a national convention after the elections to address the country's problems. 'Fortunately comrade President Ramaphosa has accepted this, that after the elections, we must call a national convention to get all the nation together, everybody, political parties, civil society, trade unions, business, church people, religious, everybody, so together we must be able to say 'how do we attend to all of the problems that has happened during the last thirty years.'' ALSO READ: 'What has gone wrong?' – Mbeki, Biko foundations call for national dialogue amid 'political crisis' Diversity Ramaphosa said the national dialogue will represent the diversity of the South African nation including representatives from government, political parties, civil society, business, labour, traditional leaders, religious leaders, cultural workers, sports organisations, women, youth and community voices, among others. The president said South Africans will in the months following the national convention be encouraged to be in dialogue to define the nation's path into the future. Concerns and proposals He said the views, concerns and proposals that will emerge from this conversation will be brought together at a second National Convention, that is planned to be held in the beginning of 2026. 'This second National Convention will reinforce our shared values and adopt a common vision and programme of action for our country into the future. 'We expect that the National Convention will finalise a compact that outlines the roles and responsibilities of all South Africans,' Ramaphosa said. 'Eminent Persons' To guide and champion the national dialogue, Ramaphosa announced an 'Eminent Persons Group' which will include: Dr Brigalia Bam, former Independent Electoral Commission Chairperson, Mr Robbie Brozin, entrepreneur and business person, Judge Edwin Cameron, former Constitutional Court judge, Mr Manne Dipico, former Northern Cape Premier, Dr Desiree Ellis, Banyana Banyana coach and football legend, Ms Ela Gandhi, peace activist and stalwart, Prof Nomboniso Gasa, researcher and rural activist, Mr Bobby Godsell, business leader, Dr John Kani, award-winning actor, Mr Siya Kolisi, Springbok captain and world champion, Ms Mia le Roux, Miss South Africa 2024, His Grace Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane, leader of the Zion Christian Church, His Grace Bishop Engenas Lekganyane, leader of the St Engenas Zion Christian Church, The Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, Dr Barbara Masekela, poet, educator and stalwart, Ms Lindiwe Mazibuko, former Member of Parliament, Mr Roelf Meyer, former Minister and constitutional negotiator, Ms Gcina Mhlope, storyteller, writer and actor, Ms Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, student activist and former Member of Parliament, Ms Kgothatso Montjane, Grand Slam tennis champion, Prof Harry Ranwedzi Nengwekhulu, former activist and educationist, Mr Bheki Ntshalintshali, unionist and former COSATU General Secretary, Hosi Phylia Nwamitwa, traditional leader, Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo, chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Dr Gloria Serobe, business leader, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers, Prof Derrick Swartz, academic, Ms Lorato Trok, author and early literacy expert, Mr Sibusiso Vilane, mountaineer and adventurer, Mr Siyabulela Xuza, award-winning rocket scientist. Ramaphosa said 'UBaba uShembe uNyazi LweZulu' has also been invited to join the Eminent Persons Group, but, as he is travelling, has not yet been able to confirm his availability. ALSO READ: Mbeki says issue of renewal of ANC 'not an invention' [VIDEO] Inter-Ministerial group He said an Inter-Ministerial Committee has been established under the chairpersonship of Deputy President Paul Mashatile to coordinate government's contribution to the national dialogue. We will be establishing a Steering Committee, comprised of representatives of various sectors of society, to set strategic priorities and coordinate implementation of the national dialogue process. 'The Secretariat, which is responsible for day-to-day management of national dialogue activities, will be housed at NEDLAC, the National Economic Development and Labour Council. 'As a nation, we are embarking on a new path of partnership and united action,' Ramaphosa said. Ramaphosa said South Africa is drawing on its 'traditions of dialogue and debate, adding that the country is determined to define a 'shared vision of a nation which belongs to all South Africans united in their diversity.' NOW READ: Ramaphosa defends transformation: 'We must dispel the false notion'
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Zondo calls for criminal investigation into Mantashe as he disputes State Capture Report
Tensions have escalated between Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and ANC heavyweight Gwede Mantashe over the findings of the State Capture Inquiry, with Zondo defending his call for a criminal investigation into Mantashe, while the minister disputes the report's conclusions. In March 2022, the Zondo Commission released its third report, which implicated Mantashe in alleged corrupt dealings with the controversial state contractor Bosasa. The report stated that Bosasa installed security upgrades at Mantashe's properties while he served as ANC secretary-general. Zondo concluded that there was a "reasonable prospect" of uncovering a prima facie case against Mantashe for corruption and referred the matter for further investigation. Mantashe has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he did not solicit or accept bribes. He has also indicated his intention to challenge the findings through a judicial review. In response to Zondo's referral, Mantashe criticised the Chief Justice, stating that Zondo "thinks he owns and manages the state capture report." He further remarked that Zondo should allow the relevant authorities to handle the matter instead of making it about himself. Chief Justice Zondo has defended his actions, emphasising that the referral was based on the evidence presented during the commission's proceedings. He maintains that the referral was made under the commission's mandate to investigate and report on instances of state capture. Zondo has reiterated that the findings were not personal but were grounded in the commission's objective analysis. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has stated that it will review the findings of the State Capture Inquiry and determine whether criminal investigations are warranted. NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhanga noted that the commission did not conduct criminal investigations and that the NPA would assess the information provided to decide on the appropriate course of action.
