Lynn Williams
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A key state witness in the protracted rape and human trafficking trial of Nigerian Pastor Timothy Omotoso, testified for the second time when the trial resumed in the Gqeberha High Court on Tuesday.
Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho face more than 90 charges, including rape, sexual assault, money laundering, and racketeering.
Judge Mandela Makaula, who previously presided over the matter, recused himself to avoid future perceptions of bias, after it emerged that some state witnesses had been accommodated at a guesthouse in which his wife had a business interest.
Cheryl Zondi testified that she was 13-years old when she joined Omotoso's Jesus International Dominion Church in 2009.
At the time, she was residing in Secunda with her mother.
According to Zondi, she was enamoured with Omotoso's persona, and the beautiful women who formed part of his church choir.
The court heard that Omotoso noticed her after she sang a solo during one of his church crusades in Durban.
Zondi said she was given Omotoso's phone number with set of instructions on how to use it.
"I was told to communicate with him every day to let him know how I was doing. The conversations started out okay, but then he constantly enquired about my love life."
In 2010, Zondi had cemented her place as a soloist in church.
That year she attended choir training in Durban and was invited to stay at Omotoso's house in Durban, with a group of other girls.
She said that she had been given a set of ground-rules to follow during her stay. One of them were to always look presentable, and to take frequent showers, because the 'man of God' did not like any funny smells.
On their way to the house, Zondi was escorted in Omotoso's Lexus SUV with a personalised number plate labelled 'Genesis'.
"I felt very important to be driving in the same car as the 'man of God'
"It felt like travelling in a chariot of heaven.
On this night, Omotoso summoned Zondi to his bedroom twice.
She detailed how she had allegedly been ordered to undress before Omotoso performed sexual acts on her.
According to Zondi, the alleged sexual assaults happened in Durban, Nigeria, Richards Bay, and Israel on numerous occasions.
After each alleged assault, Omotoso would say a prayer.
She did not immediately tell anyone what had happened, for fear that nobody would believe her.
Zondi said she also feared Omotoso's wrath.
The trial continues
