Church leaders have supported the decision by star state witness Cheryl Zondi to testify afresh when Timothy Omotoso’s rape trial recommences.
But the clerics have rejected proposals that regulatory bodies should monitor places of worship, saying self-regulation was the way to go.
Port Elizabeth High Court judge Mandela Makaula recused himself last week from the controversial pastor’s case, which means the trial will start afresh, with a new judge.
On Tuesday, Zondi, 23, said she would testify again, despite taking strain during her first stint on the witness stand.
Omotoso, the head of the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, and two co-accused face a total of 97 charges, including rape, human trafficking and racketeering.
The head of the Nelson Mandela Bay Church Leadership Group, Bishop Jacob Freemantle, said churches should be self-regulated and held accountable for the actions of their members to prevent situations where young girls and women were subjected to abuse and sexual assault.
“If churches are seen to be regulated, this would be tantamount to an autocratic society where [the government] is imposing things that are not right,” Freemantle said.
Head of the Methodist church in the Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) region, Freemantle said human trafficking and sexual abuse in churches were rampant in South Africa.
He said churches had to be held accountable, but not through a regulatory body.
“There must be an accounting body,” he said.
“Everybody must be held accountable.
“Nobody, not even pastors, ministers or the like, can just start a church without the necessary authority.
“Each and every minister is a civilian who must abide by the laws of the country.”
He said any church guilty of abuse must be exposed.
Churches could not be seen to be unmoved by what had emerged in the Omotoso trial and should stand together to show their support, not only for Zondi and other alleged victims, but anyone who had suffered abuse of any sort.
“The hurting and wounding are not only directed at the [victims of abuse] but every person in this country.
“It is a disgrace, an abomination. Let us stand up and reclaim the dignity of the church and the people of God.”
“Everybody must holistically address this thing.
“Where there is corruption and abuse we must unite in this country.
“Nobody must oppress anyone [and] we must restore the dignity of everyone in this country.”
Pastor Neville Goldman, of the Ebenezer International Church in Algoa Park, said he admired the courage demonstrated by Zondi in going back to the witness stand, but bemoaned the fact that there was little accountability for churches and their leaders.
“Support mechanisms are vital which will carry the message of healing and restoration to the victim.”
Goldman said the fact there was little or no accountability by certain church leaders who were often implicated in alleged acts of sexual misconduct was concerning and needed to be addressed.
“The key problem is that often at times such leaders don’t submit or account to anybody.
“You become a law to yourself [and] it is unfortunate that the body of Christ has to be dragged into this,” Goldman said.
Father Eldridge Davids of St Don Bosco Catholic Church in Kwazakhele also commended the tenacity of Zondi in going back to the witness stand.
“It’s unfair and very traumatic for Zondi,” he said.
“The judiciary should take a holistic relook at its balance in its approach.”
Davids said he agreed that churches should be held accountable and answer to an authority to help curb sexual misconduct involving the clergy in future.
Zondi was the first witness to be called in the trial of Omotoso and his co-accused, Zukiswa Sitho, 28, and Lusanda Sulani, 36.
On Friday, Makaula recused himself from the case.
He cited reasons which included preventing possible future perception of bias after it emerged that his wife owned a guesthouse where state witnesses had stayed during the trial.
Makaula explicitly denied that he owned shares in the business or had any role in running it.