The highly anticipated human trafficking trial of controversial Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso is expected to get underway in the Port Elizabeth High Court on Monday.
Omotoso was arrested at the Port Elizabeth airport last July in dramatic fashion by the Hawks and the police's Tactical Response Team.
His two co-accused, Lusanda Solani and Zukiswa Sitho who are accused of recruiting and grooming girls for the pastor, are out on bail of R2000.
All three are facing a total of 63 charges which also include racketeering and rape.
Five of the charges against Omotoso are “immigration-related”.
Omotoso is alleged to have sexually abused several young women at his Jesus Dominion Church in Durban under the pretext of healing them.
Meanwhile, the CRL Rights Commission said its members would be attending Monday's court proceedings to show support for the alleged victims.
“The Commission is also calling for all the other people who may have been victimised by religious leaders to come forward and report such to the police and also to the Commission," said CRL Rights Commission spokesperson, Mpiyakhe Mkholo.
