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.”

My prayers are with Cheryl Zondi 🙏🏿

Strength to her and that justice may dawn, brighter than the darkest hour!

— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) October 16, 2018

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

https://twitter.com/lupingcayisa/status/1052022078747107332

✊🏿✊🏾 When one woman speaks out , she speaks out for other women as well. A brave and courageous #CherylZondi 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/7eJ8oXKTWp

— Nthabiseng Salemane (@nsalemane) October 16, 2018

https://twitter.com/Prof_Erence/status/1052099526302023680

How can his wife, sit there and laugh at #CherylZondi as she recounts the horrific things her husband did to her. As fellow women we should stand alongside each other and NOT find amusement in another woman’s pain.

— Nthabiseng Salemane (@nsalemane) October 16, 2018

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.

State witness Cheryl Zondi's father, Mxolisi is in court this morning to give support to his daughter. #TimothyOmotoso @AlgoaFMNews pic.twitter.com/EaonGEXXzu

— Athi_Plaatjie (@athi_plaatjie) October 16, 2018

She's so brave… So so brave 😭

— Lesego ❤ (@EgOLezz) October 16, 2018

#Cheryl Zondi for President

— Jabulile Gomba (@Jabulilengwe) October 15, 2018

#Cheryl Zondi you must maintain your composure in the face of such an onslaught & u will triumph!

— Nit_Twit (@bagboys) October 15, 2018

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