Omotoso co-accused a no-show
Lawyer tells court of intimidation
Controversial pastor Timothy Omotoso’s defence counsel Peter Daubermann spent yesterday telling the Port Elizabeth high court how he‚ his clients and their families were being intimidated by supporters of the alleged victims. Explaining the absence of Omotoso’s two co-accused‚ Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho‚ Daubermann told judge Mandela Makaula they had been chased by angry mobs when they left the court after their previous appearance last Wednesday.
There was a glaring absence of Omotoso supporters from his Jesus Dominion International church in the gallery yesterday morning. Omotoso’s wife Taiwo was also not in court. Addressing the court‚ Daubermann said the police presence has been “woeful”. “I myself was chased by an unruly mob when I left the
court building last week.” Daubermann accused the media of falsely reporting on the case and told the court he had been labelled a rapist and
vilified for representing Omotoso‚ adding that his clients were not receiving a fair trial. He asked Makaula to make a decision on the matter‚ highlighting
that neither the judiciary nor the general council of the bar had condemned the attack on him‚ resulting from public outrage at the manner in which he handled the questioning of the state’s first witness‚ Cheryl Zondi. “It is my duty to test the veracity of evidence‚” he said‚ adding that he “cannot allow sensitivities to get in the way”. Makaula responded that issues raised about what happened outside the courtroom should be handled between the defence and state‚ as he only had control over what happened inside. He said there were various options available to anyone else who felt threatened or intimidated‚ including reporting the matter to police or approaching civil courts. Both Daubermann and state prosecutor senior advocate Nceba Ntelwa were summoned to Makaula’s chambers to discuss the matter further. Inside the packed courtroom‚ minister of women in the presidency Bathabile Dlamini‚ minister of communications Nomvula Mokonyane and Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle sat in the public gallery. Outside the court‚ crowds gathered both in support of Omotoso and in opposition to him.