The deportation of Nigerian pastor and televangelist Timothy Omotoso from South Africa is meant to mark the end of a lengthy legal saga. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says this is only the beginning of a new chapter as they plan to proceed with the appeal following his being acquitted on all charges.
Omotoso had 32 serious charges, including rape. He had previously faced over 90 allegations, including rape, human trafficking, and racketeering. He and co-accused Lusanda Sulani, aged 41, and Zikiswa Sitho, aged 33, had faced 32 counts ranging from racketeering and trafficking in persons to rape.
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The trial spanned eight years before the acquittal. The NPA said in a statement that the South African legal system does not require active participation of presence of an accused person during the hearing of an appeal in court. “An appeal process requires the involvement of the legal teams of the appellants and respondents.” They went on to say that, “Timothy Omotosos is not a fugitive from justice. There are no legal grounds to prevent him from leaving the country. His departure means that person considered undesirable is no longer enjoying his life in this country, pending the outcome of the appeal, which could take a long time to finalise.”
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Omotoso chose to be deported after being re-arrested by immigration officials in East London on 10 May 2025. and the Department of Home Affairs has declared him a prohibited person, citing that his continued stay in the country is unlawful. Omotoso the founder of the Durban-based Jesus Dominion International church, was originally arrested in 2017.
Bongi Sikelo 