South African authorities have deported Nigerian televangelist, Pastor Timothy Omotoso, shortly after he was acquitted of multiple charges including rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
Omotoso, founder of Jesus Dominion International, was escorted by police and immigration officers to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and flown back to Nigeria on Sunday, according to South African media.
According to The PUNCH, despite his acquittal in April 2025 alongside co-defendants Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, the Department of Home Affairs declared him an “undesirable person,” citing immigration violations.
“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,” said Siya Qoza, spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs.
“He will not be allowed to return to South Africa for five years. After that, he must apply for the ban to be lifted under Section 29 of the Immigration Act.”
The department confirmed that Omotoso had applied under Section 8(7) of the Immigration Act to overturn his prohibited status, but the application was denied by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.
This move by the South African government follows intense public reaction to the pastor’s acquittal in a case that spanned nearly eight years and attracted national attention.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, raised concerns about how the case was handled, and requested a full report from the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
“She was disturbed by the perceived lapses in the prosecution process, which dealt a significant blow to justice for victims of gender-based violence,” the justice ministry said in a statement.
Civil society groups and gender justice advocates also expressed disappointment with the verdict, questioning the effectiveness of the National Prosecuting Authority in such high-profile matters.
Omotoso had been re-arrested shortly before his deportation for allegedly breaching immigration laws.
His removal adds to the growing number of Nigerians expelled from South Africa. According to Africanews, over 90 Nigerians were deported in August 2024, with 97 more sent back earlier in February of the same year.
The South African government reiterated its position on immigration enforcement. “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.