The hope of Pastor Tim Omotosho of Jesus Dominion International,
Durban South Africa of getting a bail following his arrest last month has
suffered a setback.
When the application for bail case came up in court on Thursday, additional
18 charges were added to the original 4 made agaimst him.
The development has forced further hearing in the case to be
postponed to today (friday).
Before the commencement of proceedings on Thursday, supporters of Pastor
Timothy Omotoso besieged the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court to protest the
continued detention of the cleric.
TRN gathered that links between Hawks officials, being the investigating
body on the case and the Nigerian pastor will continue due to further need for
investigation before bail application hearing today.
A source present at the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court where 18
more charges – all relating to sexual offences or human trafficking – were
added to the four charges Omotoso was already facing told TRN that the Durban
televangelist, who is a senior pastor of Jesus Dominion International was
present in court alongside his wife, while hundreds of surporters of the Cleric
sang and prayed outside the court.
The details of the fresh charges againt the Pastor are
contained in a statement made by Hawks investigating officer Peter
Plaatjies.
Omotoso was arrested on April 20, following a botched plan to
arrest him in the Free State over the Easter weekend.
His statement was read out by state prosecutor Advocate Nceba
Ntelwa during Omotoso’s bail application.
Testifying in court later, Plaatjies said it had been decided to
arrest Omotoso in Bloemfontein during an “Easter Crusade” on Good Friday.
But during a stakeout at a hotel where Omotoso was meant to be
staying, the pastor was nowhere to be seen.
Plaatjies said officials had then gone to look for him at the
Bloemfontein City Hall where he was meant to give a sermon.
“After the service, a member of the congregation went onto the
stage and addressed the audience.
“He identified himself as a member of the Hawks and told
[congregants] that other members of the Hawks were present as well as members
of the defence force [to arrest Omotoso].”
Hawks spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Netshiunda ,according to
report, addresses the media outside the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court said
the specialised unit would investigate allegations that Omotoso had been tipped
off.
“We cannot have our own members working against us,” he said.
Netshiunda said there was a possibility that even more charges
would be added.
Omotoso’s defence, led by attorney Alfonso Hattingh, asked the
court to bar the media from publishing the identities of two Port Elizabeth
complainants as well as those who had submitted supporting affidavits for the
pastor.
Magistrate Thandeka Mashiyi granted the request.
Hattingh said Omotoso denied any wrongdoing and intended to stand
trial to prove his innocence.
He said Omotoso had no previous convictions or pending warrants and
had handed in his two passports.
Ntelwa said the state would oppose bail because Omotoso was a
flight risk, had no permanent residential address and would intimidate and
interfere with state witnesses.
“He [Omotoso] has the propensity to commit the same crimes.”
The media and public were instructed by tactical response team
members to switch off their cellphones and recording devices during the
proceedings.
Meanwhile, supporters and protesters sang struggle songs outside
the court in North End, with the two sides separated by police.
Jesus Dominion International church Pretoria branch Pastor Edmore
Muzavazi said: “Everything I have is because of this man.
“I came to South Africa [from Zimbabwe] in 2006. I was a drunkard
and a womaniser. But when I met this man, he changed my whole life.”
ANC Women’s League provincial chairwoman Bukiwe Fanta said the
league wanted justice to be served.
“We understand that everyone has his or her rights, but we want to
say that the justice system must please help us,” she said.
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