The bravery displayed by rape survivor Cheryl Zondi won the hearts of the nation as she relived the alleged abuse she suffered at the hands of pastor Timothy Omotoso. Zondi stood her ground and took on defence attorney Peter Daubermann throughout her cross-examination. Her courageous move to tell her story in the full glare of the public eye has earned her heroic status. Her bold move will hopefully inspire other victims of abuse to speak out so that perpetrators can be punished.
However, Zondi did not have to go through the trauma she experienced in her tender teenage years. Zondi and many other women who allegedly suffered the same fate at the hands of Omotoso and his ilk have been failed by society and the state.
That every Tom, Dick and Harry can erect a tent and call it a church without the state's knowledge has sown disaster for this country. There are many more Omotosos who are wreaking havoc in our communities and hiding behind religion.
Millions are hypnotised by so-called pastors who use religion as a business. Revelations that the notorious snake pastor, Penuel Mnguni, has graduated to feeding his congregants dog meat to "heal HIV" should get us so incensed that we demand that our lawmakers move with speed to regulate religion.
The recommendations of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities that all religious leaders be registered and fall under one body must be implemented. Permission to practise must be granted to men and women of impeccable integrity, not charlatans who are out to take advantage of gullible citizens. There must be an independent body that monitors and holds church leaders accountable. The public must know where to report rogue pastors such as Omotoso.
Had such institutions been in place, Zondi would not have had to undergo such a horrific experience. More important, Omotoso would not have been allowed to give himself the title of "Man of God" and take advantage of young women...