Justice Committee supports minister’s call for Omotoso case
Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Justice has backed Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi's request for a report from National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi on the Timothy Omotoso case.
Omotoso and his co-accused were acquitted on Wednesday of 32 charges after the High Court ruled that the State failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Delivering her judgment, Judge Irma Schoeman was highly critical of the prosecution’s handling of the case, particularly its weak cross-examination of witnesses.
Committee spokesperson Oscar Mathafa says the NPA's conduct must be investigated.
"The complete handling of the case was appalling because the mandate of the NPA is to ensure that victims are protected," Mathafa says.
"This case flew in the face of all the efforts that we as government and society are putting in place to ensure that gender-based violence is eradicated once and for all."
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