The Christian Association of Nigeria in South Africa has condemned
Pastor Tim Omotoso who is being accused of sexually exploiting at least
30 girls.
The association’s Archbishop Benson Uwha said they are aware that not
all Nigerian men necessarily have good intentions, but pointed
out that some South African pastors are also accused of exploiting their
congregants.
“We do not shy away from the fact that there are a
few Nigerians who come into this land in the name of pastors and
otherwise and drive undue excesses and despicable acts.
“We
condemn the practices and also appeal to South Africans to let the law
take its course. We as the association of honest and lawful Nigerians
stand against such acts and do not support such,” said Uwha.
Meanwhile, President
of the Nigerian Pastors Association (NPASA), Ranti Femudo says the
association is made of honest and lawful Nigerians and they stand
against despicable acts by the arrested pastor.
Pastor Tim
Omotoso made his first appearance in the Port Elizabeth Magistrates’
Court last Friday on charges of human trafficking and sexual assault.
The
58-year-old controversial evangelist, with churches in Cape Town,
Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, among others, was arrested at the Port
Elizabeth Airport on Thursday
for allegedly traficking more than 30 girls and women who were from
various branches of his church to a house in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal
where he allegedly sexually exploited them.
During the court
proceedings, State Prosecutor, Zelda Swanepoel, said that the State was
not in any position to proceed with a formal bail application as the
pastor’s personal circumstances needed to be verified.
The case has been postponed until May 3 for a formal bail application and to allow for further investigations that will include other provinces.
Meanwhile,
hundreds of congregants from his church’s PE branch gathered at court
in support of him.
Groups protesting against the pastor included people
from various political parties including the Economic Freedom Fighters,
African National Congress and ANC Women’s League.
“The
next time he appears in court, people are going to come in their
numbers. We spoke to the organiser of SAVE SA, the ANC and the EFF. This
is not about political parties – it’s about everyone being affected by
what’s happening in South Africa,” she said.
The pastor remains in custody and is expected to apply for bail at his next court appearance at the beginning of next month.
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