More than five years after the start of the protracted trial of Nigerian Pastor Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused, both the State and the defence have now closed their case.
Omotoso, 66, Lusanda Sulani, 43, and Zukiswa Sitho, 35, face a litany of charges that include rape, human trafficking, and sexual assault.
The trio was arrested in 2017. The trial commenced in 2019.
On Wednesday, Sulani and Sitho took the stand to testify in their own defense.
Their testimony came a day after Omotoso concluded his testimony and was cross-examined.
Both women told the court that they are devout members of Omotoso's Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church and viewed Omotoso as their spiritual father.
They affectionately refer to Omotoso as "Daddy" and "The Man of God."
The court heard that the women did voluntary work for the JDI as a means of serving God.
Their respective duties included ironing Omotoso's clothing, cooking food at the mission house, scheduling his travel and accommodation, and driving him around Gqeberha when needed during church crusades in the city.
They testified that they never recruited any of the complainants to Omotoso's mission house in Durban, where the alleged sexual offences had taken place.
Both had spent time at the mission house since its inception in 2011 and admittedly had spent time alone with Omotoso in his bedroom without anything untoward happening.
According to Sulani and Sitho, no one was held at the mission house against their will and they never witnessed Omotoso engage in any inappropriate sexual behaviour toward the complainants.
Unlike other complainants, they never massaged Omotoso's feet, adding that some women "offered" to massage his feet.
The pair denied raping, sexually assaulting, or trafficking any persons for sexual exploitation.
The public gallery was in stitches when it came to light that Sitho was reffered to as "Love Bubble"
When State Advocate Luvuyo Pomolo asked Sitho if she was called "Love Bubble" she answered: "very much so."
Judge Irma Schoeman asked: "Are you the love bubble?"
In response to Schoeman, Sitho said: "No, it's a nickname I was given in church."
Timothy Omotoso has a Christmas message for his followers, and everyone. #timothyomotoso #omotosotrial pic.twitter.com/DxBGeLHZDN
— Lynn Williams (@lynnthejourno) December 11, 2024
Over the years, the trial has been marred by numerous delays.
At some point, the first presiding officer, Judge Mandela Makaula recused himself.
He was later replaced with Schoeman.
During the course of this year's proceedings, Schoeman dismissed a Section 174 application by defence Attorney Peter Daubermann to have the charges against his clients dismissed.
She also heard numerous applications by the defence, including one asking that special entries be made to the court record.
A spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Luxolo Tyali said: "The State remains committed to ensuring that this case is finalised as soon as possible so that justice is served for the victims."
The trial is now postponed to 22 January next year for closing arguments.
Omotoso will spend his seventh Christmas in jail while Sulani and Sitho are out on bail.
