Controversial Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso was arrested on Saturday.
Omotoso was arrested by police and home affairs officials after Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, rejected the Nigerian’s bid to overturn the department’s earlier decision to declare him a persona non grata.
In the statement, the department stated that Schreiber’s decision means that Omotoso is now illegally in South Africa and should be deported.
Omotoso had earlier challenged his status as a prohibited person in court, which referred it back to the department for reconsideration.
“After carefully reconsidering the matter, the Minister upheld the decision to declare Omotoso a prohibited person. To ensure compliance with the laws of the Republic, Omotoso is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, 12 May 2025, on charges of contravening provisions of the Immigration Act,” said the department.
National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola said the arrest was related to immigration.
The Nigerian was thrown into the holding cells at the Mdantsane police station and will appear in the Mdantsane magistrate’s court on Monday.
Omotoso was recently acquitted of rape charges but was nabbed again by police and Home Affairs officials in East London, Eastern Cape, after concluding a church service.
Last month, Omotoso alongside his co-accused, Zukiswa Sitho and Lusanda Solani were all acquitted of charges of rape, racketeering and human trafficking.
This caused an uproar in a country already suffering from a high incidence of crimes against women.
The anger led to Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi to demand a full report from the National Prosecuting Authority on what had caused the case to collapse.
“Listening to the judge was the most painful thing for me as the Minister overseeing this portfolio. I can’t avert responsibility, I cannot shield myself from taking accountability and being accountable to South African society, especially listening to that judgment,” said Kubayi.
Even NPA boss advocate Shamila Batohi expressed her sorrow and disappointment. She decried how the case was handled and demanded a transcript of court proceedings.
“The NDPP has expressed serious concerns about adverse findings made by the judge against the prosecution team relating to how the case was conducted,” said Batohi.
She later announced that the Eastern Cape NPA boss, Barry Madolo, was reviewing the judgment to decide if it should be appealed.
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