Omotoso back in court to try again for bail
[caption id="attachment_201431" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Tim Omotoso, of the Jesus Dominion International ministry, is frog-marched by members of the Tactical Response Team to the Hawks' Port Elizabeth headquarters to be charged with human trafficking following his arrest.
Picture: Ivor Markman[/caption]
Supporters of Human trafficking accused pastor Timothy Omotoso gathered outside the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court this morning (29/08/17) where the controversial pastor will once again try his hand at bail.
The latest bail application is expected to kick off at 2pm today after proceedings were delayed somewhat due to an urgent application in the Port Elizabeth High Court, where Omotoso is seeking to have his work visa renewed.
The visa expires on Wednesday (30/08/17).
Singing and dancing in support of the controversial pastor, the crowd was met outside court by ANC members opposing Omotoso's bail application.
Omotoso faces 22 charges related to contravening the Sexual Offences Act with two definite charges of rape contained in the charge sheet.
He was arrested at the Port Elizabeth International Airport on 20 April, 2017.
Omotoso was denied bail in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s in June this year. He will bring another bail application today, this time based on new facts.
MEC Nancy Sihlwayi addressed ANC members outside court, highlighting their plight to keep Omotoso behind bars.
“What is important now is that Omotoso must not get bail. He is very dangerous and very rich. Now we must make sure we protect those involved who are not rich and don't have money to throw around,” she said.
Meanwhile, scores of Omotoso supporters were outside court, singing “release him we have come to fetch him”.
Omotoso had allegedly trafficked women and girls from various branches of his church and taken them to a house in Umhlanga Rocks‚ KwaZulu-Natal‚ where they were sexually exploited.
The Nigerian televangelist is a senior pastor of Jesus Dominion International‚ whose headquarters are in Durban‚ with a Port Elizabeth branch in Govan Mbeki Avenue.
