Popular Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso has been deported by the South African government.
This comes after the Department of Home Affairs declared Omotoso as an “undesirable person.”
“The South African”, a local news outlet reports that Omotoso was deported on Sunday, May 18. He reportedly left the country via OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The report indicated that the pastor was accompanied by both police and Home Affairs officials as he boarded a flight back to Nigeria. This suggests a formal process was followed for his removal.
This comes shortly after Omotoso’s acquittal. Recall that he along with co-accused Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, were found not guilty on multiple charges. The charges included rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
The highly publicized case lasted for eight years. It concluded with their “not-guilty verdict” in April 2025.
According to the report, the Department of Home Affairs disclosed that Omotoso had applied under Section 8 (7) of the Immigration Act. His application sought to overturn his status as a “prohibited person.”
However, this application was denied by South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber. The Minister’s decision upheld Omotoso’s prohibited status.
Explaining the decision, the department spokesperson, Siya Qoza, stated, “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.” This quote details the legal basis and implications of Omotoso’s deportation and future entry into South Africa.
Omotoso, who is the founder of Jesus Dominion International, had been rearrested in East London. This occurred just days before his deportation on immigration-related offences, indicating further legal issues.
Omotoso’s acquittal had generated significant public scrutiny. Civil society groups, activists, and political leaders voiced their concerns regarding the judicial outcome of the case.
Critics had also questioned the role of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the handling of the case. Many had hoped the legal proceedings would deliver justice for victims of gender-based violence.
In response to the public outcry, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, according to the report, requested a detailed report from the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi. This action suggests an official review of the prosecution’s handling of the case.
“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,” Kubayi was quoted as saying. This quote highlights the Minister’s concerns about the impact of the acquittal on justice for victims.
According to africanews.com, over 90 Nigerians were deported from South Africa in August 2024. This followed the earlier deportation of 97 others in February of the same year, indicating a trend of deportations.
With his removal, Pastor Omotoso now joins the ranks of hundreds of Nigerians who have been deported from South Africa in recent times. This places his case within a broader context of immigration enforcement.
Edited from: PorscheClassy Media
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