Support for Zondi pours in after Daubermann’s provocative questions

Support for the first witness Cheryl Zondi has increased after she fielded questions from pastor Timothy Omotoso’ lawyer on Monday.

Tuesday marks day 5 of the trial in the Port Elizabeth High Court as Omotoso’s defence lawyer Peter Daubermann will continue to question Zondi.

Zondi’s father Mxolisi was seen seated in the court to support his daughter.

More support came from social media from the Economic Freedom Fighters spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi who said his prayers were with her. He tweeted: “Strength to her and that justice may dawn, brighter than the darkest hour.”

More tweets poured in support of Zondi who survived the first day of questioning by Daubermann.

Zondi gave a compelling testimony last week Thursday as Daubermann interrogated Zondi on the statement she submitted to the Hawks.

The case continues with Zondi still under cross-examination.

Last week Zondi gave an explosive testimony detailing how she was sexually assaulted by the pastor when she was 14 years old at the pastor’s mission house in Durban.

The court heard details of inappropriate engagements between Omotoso and young women who are/were members of his church.

Daubermann accused Zondi of fabricating her evidence before he questioned her on details of her first encounter with the pastor.

“You were in a room alone with a man. You say you were scared. What did you think was going to happen? Didn’t you wonder why the door was locked?” asked Daubermann.

She responded by saying she idolised the pastor and had always wanted him to be her musical mentor.

The court heard how the teenager knelt beside Omotoso on the night, while he was in his bed under the sheets.

Daubermann asked why Zondi did not scream, and Zondi replied she was afraid the other girls would be loyal to Omotoso.

She explained that she was too scared to oppose Omotoso because anyone who opposed him “would die”, so she allowed him to continue.

Daubermann then asked how many centimetres of Omotoso’s penis had penetrated her, but Judge Mandela Makaula said the question would not be allowed.

Omotoso and his co-accused face 63 charges and 34 alternative charges.

The pastor’s alleged accomplices Lusanda Solani, 36, and Zukiswa Sitho, 28, are believed to have recruited girls from all over the country and monitored their movements.

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.