ANC Women’s League condemns youth rallies backing Omotoso after court victory

The ANC Women’s League in Eastern Cape has expressed disappointment after crowds of young people took to the streets in East London on Tuesday, publicly supporting Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso.

IOL reported on Tuesday that the East London Magistrate’s Court had freed Omotoso, 66, and ruled that the charismatic preacher will not be deported until his application for a review of the Department of Home Affairs’ decision is heard in the high court.

As news of the East London Magistrates Court’s decision reached the fervent supporters, the crowd made of mainly young people erupted into song and dance, some waving pictures of Omotoso dearingly.

A few skirmishes were witnessed on the streets of East London, as tensions escalated between disappointed community members calling for Omotoso to be punished, and the crowd of congregants supporting their spiritual leader.

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Members of the South African Police Service have in recent days been separating the two opposing crowds, fearing a breakout of violence.

Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, deputy provincial secretary of the African National Congress Women’s League, Nomakhosazana Nongqayi, said she was surprised by the massive support shown for Omotoso by the crowds of young people.

“That is our surprise, that is what we are asking, why are the youth supporting Omotoso. That is what we do not understand. What we have seen even today was disappointing. There were no elderly people in the group that was supporting Omotoso,” she said.

“We want to know, what is Omotoso doing to our young girls? Most of them are young girls, so we still have that question. We cannot answer why he is supported by the youth. This is the youth again that reported the abuse that was done by Omotoso in the church.”

She said that the ANC Women’s League has, on a separate occasion, engaged some of the followers of the televangelist, who made it clear that they love their “father”.

“We told them that we know men of God, but the one they are talking about is from jail, with allegations of gender-based violence, with the allegations of raping some of them. They didn’t answer, they just shouted that Omotoso is a man of God and they believe in him,” said Nongqayi.

On Saturday, IOL reported that Omotoso had been arrested in the Eastern Cape.

National police commissioner, General Fanie Masemola confirmed the arrest on Saturday. 

“This morning in East London at about 5am, the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Inspectorate, together with the South African Police Service, arrested Omotoso in the town just after the church. 

“He will be facing charges relating to the violation of the Immigration Act,” Masemola said.

On Monday, IOL reported that Omotoso had filed an urgent high court application to challenge his prohibited status in South Africa, following his arrest on Saturday morning for allegedly contravening the Immigration Act.

The arrest comes weeks after Omotoso was acquitted of multiple serious charges, including rape, human trafficking and sexual assault. 

He and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani, 41, and Zikiswa Sitho, 33,  had faced 32 counts ranging from racketeering and trafficking in persons to rape. 

The trial spanned eight years before the acquittal.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL News