SA Christian group pushes for Nigerian pastor release

Members of an organisation called Christians of South Africa have been holding a demonstration outside the national prosecutor's office to push for the release of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso.

The preacher has been in custody for three years facing 97 charges, including human trafficking, racketeering, and rape.

Mr Omotoso and his co-accused have denied the allegations.

Proceedings of the case before a court in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth were postponed in April because of the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus, eNCA news site reports.

The preacher's supporters want his charges dropped.

A journalist with state broadcaster SABC has shared a video of Mr Omotoso's supporters:

Members of Christians of South Africa picketing in front of @NPA_Prosecutes demanding charges against #Omotoso be dropped. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/I9vo2UjGNX

— Maluti Obuseng (@MalutiO) September 23, 2020