The #TotalShutDown movement on Wednesday gathered outside the Port Elizabeth High Court to show support for Cheryl Zondi who is under cross-examination in the human trafficking trial involving Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso.
The women, dressed in black and red, picketed and sang songs in Zondi’s honour. South Africans on social media have rallied behind Zondi and she has been commended widely for her bravery on the stand.
Placards read: “I believe them. I believe them. I believe you Cheryl Zondi.” Other posters read: “No victim blaming!”
#TotalShutDown said it believed the survivors and would stand in solidarity with them.
Zondi, 22, had earlier testified that she was r@ped and s-e-xually abused by Omotoso when she joined the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) in 2009 at the age of 13.
The Nigerian pastor faces 63 main charges and 34 alternative counts which include human trafficking, r@pe, s-e-xual assault, racketeering and conspiracy in aiding another person to commit sexual assault.
His two alleged henchwomen, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho are accused of recruiting girls from all over the country for purposes of s-e-xual exploitation.
The 58-year-old televangelist allegedly trafficked more than 30 girls and women who were from various branches of his church to a house in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal,
Source: African News Agency
