Azania Mosaka speaks up for Rape survivors

Azania Mosaka has spoken up in solidarity of Cheryl Zondi in the Timothy Omotoso rape trial on the treatment of rape victims

Omotoso and two others face 97 charges, which include human trafficking, sexual assault and rape of female congregants of his Durban-based church.

Cheryl was the first witness to take the stand when the trial got underway at the Port Elizabeth High Court earlier this week. Cheryl has accused Omotoso of raping her since she was 14 years old.

As Cheryl detailed the trauma she allegedly endured, Omotoso’s defence lawyer had tongues wagging for his “unfair questioning”.

“I think we need a re-evaluation of how we deal with rape survivors in this country. Because now the burden of proving even in our legal system is innocent until proven guilty but ultimately it feels like the victim is being put on trial versus the alleged perpetrator,” she said.

Azania labelled the defence lawyer’s questioning “vile”.