Home Affairs confirms Timothy Omotoso has been deported to Nigeria
Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been deported to his home country and is barred from returning to South Africa for the next five years.
Controversial Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso has been deported to Nigeria following a decision by the Department of Home Affairs to label him an undesirable person.
Omotoso, recently acquitted of rape charges, left South Africa through OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon, 18 May, after Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber rejected his application under section 8(7) of the Immigration Act, which aimed to overturn the department’s earlier decision declaring him a prohibited person.
TIMOTHY OMOTOSO DEPORTED TO NIGERIA
Department of Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza said Schreiber’s decision meant that Omotoso was illegally in the Republic of South Africa.
“Upon his departure, Omotoso was still a prohibited person and given that he was illegally in the country, he was issued with a notification as an undesirable person, meaning that he will not be able to return to the country for five years.
“On expiry of that five-year ban, he will have to apply for his prohibition to be uplifted in terms of section 29 of the Immigration Act. The Department of Home Affairs continues to be guided by our unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law without fear or favour,” Qoza said.
CONTROVERSIAL PASTOR REARRESTED
Timothy Omotoso’s deportation comes just days after he was rearrested on immigration offences in East London.
Earlier in April Omotoso and his two co-accused Lusanda Sulani, and Zukiswa Sitho were found not guilty of several charges including rape, sexual assault and human trafficking following a trial that lasted for eight years.
The acquittal of the Jesus Dominion International leader sparked public outrage as activists, civil society organisations and politicians questioned the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and its role in ensuring justice is served for victims of gender-based violence and rape.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi also requested a comprehensive report from the National Director Public Prosecutions (NDPP), advocate Shamila Batohi, on the factors that contributed to the acquittal of Omotoso.
Kubayi said her concern stemmed from the apparent shortcomings in the prosecution’s handling of the case, resulting in a significant setback in the pursuit of justice for victims of gender-based violence and related crimes.
The NPA has since indicated that it would appeal the judgement.