Women MECs lead march against abuse

Three Eastern Cape MECs will lead a march in Nelson Mandela Bay on Wednesday calling for the regulation of churches and protesting against genderbased violence.

High-ranking politicians and cabinet ministers are making their presence felt at the rape trial of controversial Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso.

Transport & safety MEC Weziwe Tikana, health MEC Helen Sauls-August and social development MEC Pumza Dyantyi will lead the march to the Port Elizabeth High Court.

Premier Phumulo Masualle attended the court proceedings on Monday along with minister of women in the presidency Bathabile Dlamini and communications minister Nomvula Mokonyane.

The demonstration on Wednesday comes a day before Omotoso’s lawyer, Peter Daubermann, is due to bring an application for leave to appeal Judge Mandela Makaula’s decision not to recuse himself.

Tikana’s spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the MECs would be joined by “religious leaders along with the SAPS Women's Forum and community members across the class, racial and gender divides”.

Omotoso and two co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, face 63 main charges and 34 alternative charges ranging from rape and sexual assault to human trafficking and racketeering.

Protest demands laws for churches and an end to violence against women