Almost 18 months after he was arrested at the Port Elizabeth International Airport, Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso’s trial will finally start in October.
Omotoso, 59, and his two co-accused Lusanda Solani, 36, and Zukiswa Sitho, 28, appeared briefly in the Port Elizabeth High Court where state prosecutor Nceba Ntelwa told the court the state was ready to proceed with trial.
The three face 63 charges including racketeering, contravention of the sexual offences act, human trafficking and rape, among others.
Charges against a fourth accused, Nobubele Mlindi, 31, were withdrawn after the state said evidence against her would not lead to a successful prosecution.
Standing before a packed courtroom, Omotoso smiled as he saw his wife, Taiwo, in the public gallery.
Solani and Sitho hung their heads to avoid photographers before proceedings began.
Omotoso was arrested in April 2017 and has remained in custody following numerous failed attempts at bail.
Sitho and Solani were released on R2,000 bail, with strict conditions, in December.
Defence lawyer Peter Daubermann, for all three accused, also told judge Dayalin Chetty he was ready for trial.
Ntelwa said the trial was scheduled from October 8 to December 14.
Previously, Ntelwa said five charges of contravening the immigration act against Omotoso had been provisionally withdrawn pending the outcome of the case in the high court.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Tsepo Ndwalaza said the NPA was ready for the trial.
A group of about 50 people gathered outside the court to show support for Omotoso.
Commission for Gender Equality chair Nondumiso Mapazi said the commission was happy the matter had moved to the high court.
“We are eager for this case to get under way and hope that there won’t be any more delays,” Mapazi said.