Eight Years, No Justice: Soul City Institute Reacts to Omotoso Verdict

The Soul City Institute for Social Justice notes with deep concern the ruling delivered by the Gqeberha High Court on 2 April 2025, which saw Pastor Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, acquitted on all charges, including rape, human trafficking and racketeering.

As reported by News24 and SowetanLIVE, the trial — which spanned over eight years — was marred by serious procedural missteps, with Judge Irma Schoeman explicitly criticising the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for its handling of the case. According to these news reports, the judge noted that the state had failed to properly charge the accused and called the prosecution’s case "confused, disorganised, and lacking sufficient evidence".

This outcome is a devastating blow not only to the survivors who came forward, but to all who continue to fight for justice in a country plagued by high rates of gender-based violence and femicide. It demonstrates the systemic failures that still exist within our criminal justice system, failures that retraumatise survivors and allow perpetrators to walk free due to institutional incompetence.

We honour the bravery of Cheryl Zondi and other survivors who testified, often under extreme duress and public scrutiny. Their courage sheds light on the abuse of power within religious institutions and sparked vital conversations around accountability, consent and coercion cloaked in faith.

This verdict may have closed a courtroom chapter, but it opens a deeper wound in our ongoing struggle for justice. The Soul City Institute remains resolute in our mission to dismantle systems of patriarchal violence and to build a society where survivors are believed, supported and safe.