Nigerian pastor and televangelist Timothy Omotoso is expected to depart South Africa on Sunday, signalling the end of protracted legal ordeal that has lasted nearly ten years.
Omotoso chose to be deported after being re-arrested by immigration officials in East London on May 10. The Department of Home Affairs has declared him a prohibited person, citing that his continued stay in the country is unlawful.
Earlier this year, on April 2, the Gqeberha High Court acquitted Omotoso of 32 serious charges, including rape.
He had previously faced over 90 allegations, including rape, human trafficking, and racketeering.
He and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani, aged 41, and Zikiswa Sitho, aged 33, had faced 32 counts ranging from racketeering and trafficking in persons to rape.
The trial spanned eight years before the acquittal.
Omotoso, founder of the Durban-based Jesus Dominion International church, was originally arrested in 2017. His high-profile trial drew national attention and sparked widespread public outrage.
Earlier this week, the court ruled that the Nigerian preacher will not be deported until his application for a review of Department of Home Affairs’ decision is heard in court.
A crowd of congregants supporting Omotoso burst into song and dance, with many holding pictures showing the televangelist’s face.
Cape Town City’s caretaker coach Diogo Peral expressed a mixture of relief and determination following his team’s commendable 2-0 Betway Premiership victory over Polokwane City, on a challenging day for the players.Describing Saturday’s encounter as “a difficult game” at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium – known for its tough atmosphere – Peral acknowledged the significance of the win in the context of the club’s relegation battle.City had not tasted victory […]
