Pastor’s lawyer says outcry ‘unfortunate’
NIGERIAN pastor Timothy Omotoso’s lawyer Peter Daubermann has spoken out after he was followed and harassed by angry protesters outside the Port Elizabeth High Court.
“It’s very unfortunate, unnecessary and uncalled for. Other than that, I don’t really want to comment,” Daubermann said yesterday.
On Wednesday, angry protesters, including the #TotalShutDown movement, threw water and hurled comments at Daubermann, including calling him a “rubbish (for) defending a rapist”.
They demanded he drop the case and said they knew where he lived.
Enraged protesters bayed for Daubermann’s blood as police escorted him to his car, which was parked at the back of the court building.
The protesters were at court to support State witness Cheryl Zondi, 22, who had been under cross-examination for a third consecutive day.
Many have accused Daubermann of overstepping the bounds during his questioning of Zondi, who has alleged that Omotoso sexually assaulted her when she was 14 years old.
Daubermann has been widely criticised by the public for his line of questioning.
Minister of Women in the Presidency Bathabile Dlamini has also objected to what she called “brutal and inhumane” questioning, describing it as “secondary victimisation”.
The Commission of Gender Equality said it would approach the judiciary and the General Council of the Bar to discuss “unfair” treatment of rape survivors in court.
During the trial, Judge Mandela Makaula stopped Daubermann from asking what he called “unfair” questions.
Omotoso faces 63 charges which include human trafficking, rape, sexual assault, racketeering and conspiracy in aiding another person to commit sexual assault.
His alleged henchwomen, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, are accused of recruiting girls to exploit sexually. |