GBV victims 'failed by system' as Omotoso walks free after 5-year trial

This week, Omotoso and his two co-accused, Lusindiso Salani and Zukiswa Sitho, were acquitted of all charges related to racketeering, traf-ficking in persons, rape, and sexual assault.

- CHEVON BOOYSEN

Meanwhile, the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), advocate Shamila Batohi, said they would interrogate the “failure of justice” and have sought a transcript of the proceedings “which ran over eight years”.

They would consider if to determine whether the prosecution of the prosecution team was warranted.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has also since the judgment written to the NPA, requesting a report concerning the acquittal in terms of Section 33(a) of the NPA Act.

This provision enables the minister to seek clarity on prosecutorial decisions, particularly in cases of significant public interest.

During the judgment, Judge Irma Schoeman severely criticised the State for its lackadaisical case and pinpointed the failure of their ill-planned cross-examination of the accused.

Schoeman described the cross-examination as “ineffective” and “shallow”, and said that “no thought went into it”.

Crime expert Calvin Rafadi said victims of alleged rape and human trafficking have been let down by the justice system.

Rafadi said the outcome of the mat-ter could be put down to a lack of skill.

“It can be painted as a fail on the departments to give the victims assurance, judgment written to the NDPP, requested a report concerning the acquittal in terms of Section 33(a) of the NPA Act.

This provision enables the minister to seek clarity on prosecutorial decisions, particularly in cases of significant public interest.

During the judgment, Judge Irma Schoeman severely criticised the State for its lackadaisical case and pinpointed the failure of their ill-planned cross-examination of the accused.