While many people across South Africa who had religiously followed the trial of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso expressed shock and disappointment following his acquittal on Wednesday, a legal expert believes the outcome exposes the serious challenges within the criminal justice system in South Africa

IOL reported on Wednesday that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it will study the judgment and decide which legal options it can explore following the acquittal of Omotoso.

The 66-year-old was acquitted on Wednesday after spending eight years in jail. He was acquitted alongside his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho.

Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), advocate Olave Nthabiseng Sepanya-Mogale said numerous perpetrators are getting away with murder.

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"I wouldn't say rich, powerful men, but I would actually say a lot of people who are accused of crime, who sometimes most probably have committed the crimes get away with it because of the challenges and gaps within the criminal justice system.

"Once a case has taken so long to be brought to the attention of the police officers, it is finally brought and there is limited evidence, the evidence that is going to be relied upon is more of emotional, you need to have a different approach. This is not a shut and close case where there is a dead body on the ground, there is murder and someone has a knife in their hand etcetera. It is totally different," she said.

Sepanya-Mogale said the dynamics in the Omotoso case made it very complex and it required stringent strategy and acumen from the prosecutors in the case. She said the acquittal has left many people shocked.

"It was a shock to many people but I think to me as a legal practitioner it was more of trepidation, feelings of trepidation throughout because of the length of time that it took and what could happen as a result of the time lapse. Nevertheless, it was a shock, and a sad one for that matter," she said.

The CGE has commended the survivors who were brave enough to stand in court and give evidence "considering the intimidation and bullying that was happening throughout this process".

"It was an unpleasant outcome for us," said Sepanya-Mogale.