CRL Commission says Omotoso's acquittal highlights worrisome gaps in justice system
Their acquittal was largely attributed by the courts to apparent shoddy work by prosecutors.
Rape-accused Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused have been acquitted on all charges, including rape, racketeering, human trafficking, and assault. Picture: Sipha Kema
JOHANNESBURG - The Cultural, Religious and Linguistic (CRL) Rights Commission says the acquittal of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso highlights deeply concerning gaps in the criminal justice system that must be addressed.
The Chapter 9 institution, along with the Commission for Gender Equality and the South African Human Rights Commission, will launch an inquiry into the process that led to Omotoso and his two co-accused walking free.
They faced 32 counts including rape, human trafficking and racketeering.
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Their acquittal was largely attributed by the courts to apparent shoddy work by prosecutors.
Amid much outrage by society, the chairperson of the CRL Commission says, they too, do not believe justice was done in this matter.
"It is, therefore, imperative that we independently interrogate the gaps highlighted in the judgement and then recommend measures that must be introduced to ensure these do not similarly occur."