‘This man did these things in God’s name’
How Omotoso groomed girls
Graphic details of how a 14-year-old girl was allegedly groomed into performing lewd sex acts on controversial Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso who then prayed for forgiveness while reciting Psalm 51, emerged in the Port Elizabeth high court yesterday.
The state called its first witness to testify in the trial of Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani, 36, and Zukiswa Sitho, 28, who face 97 charges in total among them, ranging from sexual assault to rape and human trafficking.
Cheryl Zondi, 22, told the court how at first she was in awe of Omotoso but soon became disillusioned when she realised the sexual acts he allegedly made her perform were nothing more than predatory sexual assaults.
“He is a liar, an abuser – a predator who doesn’t care about anyone. He is narcissistic, thinking the world revolves around him [and] expects to be entertained [by young girls],” Zondi said, fighting back tears.
Zondi, who said she was happy to testify in open court, detailed how at 14 she became involved in Omotoso’s Jesus Dominion International church after attending a national meeting in Durban.
Originally from Secunda, Zondi said her mother did not approve of the church, claiming it was too radical, took too much of her time, and that her behaviour had changed.
Zondi said she remembered seeing Omotoso always surrounded by beautiful young women before and after church services.
“In my mind they were considered an elite group and because of their beauty they were always beside him.”
Zondi said she was given Omotoso’s contact number and instructed to call and SMS him every day.
When she arrived for a national church meeting in Durban, she was informed she would be staying with Omotoso at his home.
Zondi accompanied Omotoso to his home where she thought she would meet his wife and children, but when they arrived she was met with 20 to 30 other young women when she entered the house.
She recalled the room was dimly lit with closets on either side. On one side she noticed a gap which led to Omotoso’s bedroom where she found him in bed, under covers. wearing an unbuttoned shirt.
She said she entered the room and knelt down beside the bed to greet Omotoso who then instructed her to sit next to him.
“His hands moved around my back and he pulled on my bra strap and then he pushed me onto the bed and then he [climbed] on top of me on the bed.
“I was in such shock, I was paralysed. He [climbed] on top of me and started fondling me. He was having the time of his life, laughing while he was doing this.
“He got up when he was done, he looked at me and saw that I was upset.
“He asked me what was wrong in his dominating voice – I was so scared I said nothing. He said I must come see him later that day.”
Zondi said Omotoso continued fondling himself and told her to take off her head scarf as it made her look old. He then instructed her to take off her clothes.
“I was now naked with the man I thought was a man of God.
“When he saw I wasn’t doing what he wanted me to he [climbed] on top of me without his shorts on and put his penis between my thighs and went further to my vagina.
“He continued shoving until he reached climax.”
The next morning when he awoke, Zondi said Omotoso prayed and recited Psalm 51 “and asked God to forgive us”.
“He told me I better not tell anything because a man of God can’t go to jail.”
Zondi said from then on she accompanied Omotoso on various “crusades”. During these trips Zondi said the sexual assault continued.
“This man did these disgusting things in the name of God.”