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‘Vicious’ Daubermann reviled for defence tactics in Omotoso case
The 'insensitive' advocate defending the pastor accused of rape and sexual trafficking has been accused of using 'Doberman' scare tactics in his cross-examination.
Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso, left, in the dock on Monday, 15 October 2018. Picture: ANA
As Cheryl Zondi continues to give evidence in the trial of Pastor Omotoso, who stands accused of raping her when she was just 14 years old as well as a host of other crimes including sexual trafficking, Omotoso’s advocate Peter Daubermann appears to have been unanimously declared a villain on social media for his treatment of the witness.
On Monday, Daubermann was already drawing condemnation for asking about how many centimetres of Omotoso’s penis had penetrated her, a question that seemed irrelevant and inappropriate to many observers and also led to the lawyer being strongly reprimanded by Judge Mandela Makaula.
Later, he caused further outrage by suggesting that, based on a photograph: “everyone seems like they are in a jolly mood and they are having a jolly time.”
READ MORE: Support for Zondi pours in after Daubermann’s provocative questions
The lawyer was also reported yesterday to have suggested that Zondi was a willing participant in the rape and molestation she allegedly faced at the hands of Omotoso.
Daubermann asked questions including “Why did you not scream?” and “Why did you not tell your mother?”
He also told Zondi that by travelling to Durban she “accepted the risk of being raped”.
Social media has not held back in its apparent unanimous disgust for Daubermann’s style of cross-examination.
Daubermann points to a photo on the overhead projector and says everyone seems like they are in a jolly mood and they are having a jolly time. #TimothyOmotoso
— Athi_Plaatjie (@athi_plaatjie) October 15, 2018
Peter Daubermann comes across as a terrible lawyer. But I’m no expert. Apart from the fact that he seems to be revictimising the victim. #OmotosoTrial
— Tseko (@TsekoThePlan) October 16, 2018
Testifying in an open court as a rape survivor is not for the faint-hearted. Dealing with bullish and insensitive defense lawyers like Adv Peter Daubermann is relieving the whole ordeal once more. Strength to Cheryl Zondi #OmotosoTrial
— Sphelele (@SpheDludla) October 16, 2018
“'Why did you not scream?” – defense lawyer Peter Daubermann.
This man is as monstrous as his client. https://t.co/QK8xlhz5jz— Malaka Grant (@AbenaGyekye) October 16, 2018
I can't help but resent #TimothyOmotoso's defence attorney Peter Daubermann. His line of questioning is soo patronizing and his tone very accusatory. To Cheryl Zondi you have displayed immense strength under such scrutiny and I'm sure it hasn't been easy #OmotosoTrial
— Nomazima Nkosi (@Zima_B_Nkosi) October 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/Nhlanhla_Nene/status/1052114092113182720
@Theagenda_sabc – Cheryl Zondi: This young lady is a true hero. Disgusted at the pestering, inanity and badgering by the defense lawyer. What a brave young South African!
— Michael Marnewick (@MikeMarnewick) October 16, 2018
The way white male lawyers question black women in court, especially during rape cases.
— lavas (@whylerato) October 16, 2018
#CherylZondi is fed up with this lawyer and has lost all respect for him and isn't intimidated by his vicious "Doberman" scare tactics#OmotosoTrial
— Motheo (@Ayandizo) October 16, 2018
Last week, Zondi gave her account as to how Omotoso raped her. She says he called her to his room and said she must climb in his bed. Instructing her to remove her doek as it “made her look old”, Omotoso then proceeded with the assault. Zondi was still a virgin then.
According to Zondi, he recited Psalm 51 and told her his treatment of her was a covenant between them and God.
Zondi’s alleged sexual assault continued over weekends and other church gatherings across the country. Details of how the pastor ejaculated on her body and asked her to clean up emerged as Zondi testified.
Omotoso and his co-accused face 63 charges and 34 alternative charges.
READ MORE: Court hears how Omotoso sexually assaulted 14-year old Zondi
He is believed to have trafficked more than 30 girls and women from various branches of his church to a house in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, where he allegedly sexually exploited them.
Alleged accomplices Lusanda Solani, 36, of Durban, and Zukiswa Sitho, 28, of Port Elizabeth, allegedly recruited girls from all over the country and monitored their movements in the houses where they were being kept.
He was arrested by the Hawks on April 20 last year.
(Additional reporting by Gopolang Chawane)
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