Key Points
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MK Women’s League calls the Omotoso acquittal a betrayal of justice.
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Survivors face repeated trauma due to legal delays and mishandling.
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MKWL demands urgent reforms and specialized courts for gender-based violence.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Women’s League (MKWL) has harshly condemned the acquittal of pastor Timothy Omotoso. The League calls the decision a “violent betrayal” of survivors.
They argue the verdict highlights severe flaws in South Africa’s justice system, especially regarding gender-based violence (GBV) cases.
Omotoso faced 32 serious charges, including rape and human trafficking. Despite the gravity of these charges, he was acquitted after an eight-year legal battle.
The MKWL believes this outcome underscores a deep systemic failure to protect survivors and deliver justice.
Legal failures and survivor trauma
The MKWL condemned the handling of Omotoso’s case, focusing on the harm caused to survivors. Initially, 63 charges were brought against Omotoso.
However, many charges were dropped as witnesses lost faith or withdrew.
The MKWL believes that prolonged delays, repeated mistrials, and legal loopholes led to the survivors reliving their trauma over and over.
The MKWL stressed that the justice system allowed Omotoso to manipulate the process. These delays were a deliberate attempt to exhaust survivors and deprive them of justice.
According to the League, the court’s actions amount to “state-sponsored cruelty.”
Demands for reform and accountability
The MKWL is calling for significant reforms within the justice system. They want specialized GBV courts and stricter legal frameworks to prevent further abuse.
The League is also calling for accountability from the judiciary, demanding that no predator be allowed to hide behind legal technicalities.
“We cannot allow justice to be delayed any longer,” the MKWL stated. “We demand a system that serves the people, not predators.”
