Pastor to remain behind bars for another month
THE pastor accused of human trafficking, Timothy Omotoso, was “disappointed” he would have to remain behind bars for another month before being given an opportunity to once again try for bail.
Support for the televangelist, who is facing a string of sex crimes, had dwindled both inside and outside the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court yesterday as Omotoso, 58, briefly took to the dock.
He was arrested on April 20 and, after a failed bail bid, was remanded behind bars.
Local attorney James Riley said the new bail application – based on new facts – would focus on Omotoso’s alleged ill health, security concerns and increased anxiety.
The flamboyant Omotoso will now be represented by Advocate Gert van Niekerk, from George, and Advocate Alwyn Rossouw SC, from Pretoria.
Rossouw previously represented Joost van der Westhuizen in his bid to stop the publication of a book based on the now deceased former Springbok’s life. Counsel is instructed by Anja Muir, director at McLoughlin Porter Incorporated in Vereeniging.
Riley said yesterday Omotoso was disappointed with such a lengthy postponement but that they had been informed that August 29 was the first date the presiding magistrate, as well as state advocate Zelda Swanepoel, would be available for the application.
Omotoso, the leader of the Jesus Dominion International Church, is accused of trafficking women and young girls from various branches of his church to a house in Umhlanga Rocks, KwaZulu-Natal, where they were allegedly sexually exploited.
He was previously denied bail on the basis of his being a flight risk, among other factors.
At the time he was represented by Port Elizabeth defence attorney Alwyn Griebenow.