The human trafficking and rape trial involving controversial Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso is scheduled to begin again in the Port Elizabeth High Court on Tuesday - before a new judge.
According to the court roll, the trial will now be heard by Judge Irma Schoeman.
The original trial, in which Omotoso faced 63 main charges, including human trafficking, rape and sexual assault, came to an abrupt halt in March when Judge Mandela Makaula recused himself following reports his wife operated a guesthouse where State witnesses in the trial had been accommodated.
Omotoso's co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, are accused of recruiting girls from all over the country for purposes of sexual exploitation.
The trial is expected to start afresh at the Port Elizabeth High Court on Tuesday which means evidence previously led will have to be presented before court again.
So far the court has heard evidence from State witness Cheryl Zondi, who gave an emotionally charged account of allegedly being raped and sexually groomed while she was a member and singer at Omotoso's Jesus Dominion International Church (JDI). Zondi has indicated she's prepared to testify again.
The 61-year-old televangelist allegedly trafficked more than 30 girls and women who were from various branches of his church to a house in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, where he allegedly sexually exploited them.
Omotoso was arrested on April 20, 2017, by the Hawks at the PE Airport. He was twice denied bail as he was deemed a flight risk.
The women were arrested in November 2017 and are out on bail of R2000 each.
African News Agency (ANA)
