Key Points
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The CRL Rights Commission will investigate the Omotoso acquittal.
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Victims claim the justice system failed them during the trial.
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Weak witness protection led to further trauma for the victims.
The Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic (CRL) Rights Commission has committed to investigating the circumstances surrounding the acquittal of Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso.
Two weeks ago, the Eastern Cape High Court in Gqeberha found Omotoso and two co-accused not guilty on all charges, including rape, human trafficking, and racketeering.
This verdict has caused outrage among the victims, who feel the justice system failed them.
During a media briefing, Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, the chairperson of the CRL Commission, confirmed the investigation would continue.
“We are here today knowing that the system did not do enough to protect them,” Mkhwanazi-Xaluva said.
She emphasized that the failure to provide adequate protection for the victims had left them vulnerable during the trial.
The lack of a strong witness protection program was a key concern, with many victims left exposed to potential threats.
Weak prosecution and lack of protection for witnesses
The victims also expressed their frustration with the handling of the case by the prosecution.
They criticized the handling of evidence and the poor conduct during the trial. Moreover, the victims cited the failure of the witness protection program, which left them unprotected.
One victim reading a statement stated, “We feel threatened, worse now because our faces are out there visible to whoever that is watching us.”
Mkhwanazi-Xaluva acknowledged that these shortcomings in the prosecution and protection systems have put victims at further risk.
She stressed that the handling of gender-based violence (GBV) cases, particularly in religious settings, needs urgent attention.
“We must address these issues to ensure survivors receive the necessary support when they break their silence,” she said.
The ongoing fight for justice and accountability
Despite the trial’s outcome, the victims remain determined to fight for justice. They are not letting their trauma define them.
One victim shared, “We fought hard. We were willing, and we are very much ready to put our lives on the line to make sure that no one experiences the shame and trauma we have been through.”
The CRL Commission’s investigation is part of an ongoing effort to hold the justice system accountable and ensure that victims of GBV in religious spaces receive adequate protection and support.
The commission aims to address systemic failures and work toward a more just and supportive environment for survivors.
