Rape-accused pastor Zondo's lawyer argues judge automatically disqualified over bias

JOHANNESBURG - Lawyers for embattled pastor Bishop Stephen Zondo have argued that Judge Papi Mosopa is automatically disqualified from presiding over his matter because he already believes the pastor is guilty of rape.

The leader of the Rivers of Living Water church faces several counts of rape and sexual assault of his congregants and staff.

One of the victims was only seven years old at the time of the alleged rape.

Zondo is applying for Judge Mosopa’s recusal after he dismissed his application for a discharge.

Advocate Piet Pistorius has argued that when Mosopa refused Zondo his discharge application, he made credibility findings about the witnesses saying the evidence is credible, reliable and trustworthy.

He said that finding should have only been made at the end of the trial after Zondo made his case.

Pistorius further argued that any evidence led by Zondo would be rejected as not credible, truthful or reliable.

He said Mosopa’s hands were now tied by his firm findings, and he could not reverse them at the conclusion of the trial.

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