Shamila Batohi Wants Answers From Eastern Cape NPA After Tim Omotoso’s Prosecution Flop

SIHLE MAVUSO|April 3, 2025

DEMANDING ANSWERS: National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Shamila Batohi is demanding answers from Eastern Cape DPP Barry Madolo regarding Judge Irma Schoeman’s judgment on the Timothy Omotoso’s rape case, which saw the pastor walk free after eight years behind bars. Photo: NPA

The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi is demanding answers from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Eastern Cape after Timothy Omotoso’s rape case was bungled.

The Nigerian pastor walked free on Wednesday after eight years behind bars.

Omotoso was arrested after he was accused by his former church members of rape. Most of the young girls at the time were members of a choir called Simply Chrysolite.

He was also accused of human trafficking while allegedly working with Zukiswa Sitho and Lusanda Sulani, who organised the young girls for him.

In the main, they alleged that he kept them in a house in Durban north and took turns having sex with them in a room that was upstairs and was called the “upper room.”

During one testimony by Cheryl Zondi, a former member of the group, it was said Omotoso would not kiss them, saying his mouth is holy and is used for preaching.

According to a statement from the NPA, Batohi has requested a report from the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Barry Madolo, on the judgement delivered by Judge Irma Schoeman of the Eastern Cape Local Division of the High Court sitting in Gqeberha on 2 April 2025.

This was after the Judge raised concerns about the conduct of the prosecution before finding the trio not guilty of all the charges preferred against them.

“The NDPP will carefully study the judgment when it is made available to the parties. In the meantime, she has expressed her serious concerns about adverse findings made by the judge against the prosecution team, relating to the manner in which the prosecution was conducted.”

“The NDPP has called for a transcript of the proceedings and will consider it in order to determine whether the criticism of the prosecution team is warranted. Depending on the outcome of this process, the NDPP, together with the DPP: EC, will decide on appropriate action. The DPP: EC has in the meantime indicated that the team will study the judgement and decide on whether to bring an application to appeal the judgement,” the NPA said in the statement.

Ever since Omotoso walked free, the NPA has been under fire from several quarters, accusing it of making it easy for suspected rapists and women abusers to walk free.