Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been deported from South Africa following a ruling by the Department of Home Affairs, which declared him an undesirable person.
According to The South African, a local news outlet, Omotoso was deported on Sunday after leaving the country via OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The report disclosed that the pastor was escorted by the police and Home Affairs officials to board a flight back to Nigeria.
Omotoso’s deportation comes shortly after his acquittal, along with co-accused Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, on multiple charges including rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
The high-profile case spanned eight years, culminating in their not-guilty verdict in April 2025.
According to the report, the Department of Home Affairs revealed that Omotoso had applied under Section 8(7) of the Immigration Act to overturn his status as a prohibited person.
However, the application was denied by South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber.
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.”
Omotoso, founder of Jesus Dominion International, had been rearrested in East London just days before his deportation on immigration-related offences.
Omotoso’s acquittal had drawn significant public scrutiny, with civil society groups, activists, and political leaders raising concerns over the judicial outcome.
Critics had also questioned the role of the NPA and the handling of the case, which many had hoped 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.
“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.
According to africanews.com, over 90 Nigerians were deported from South Africa in August 2024, following the earlier deportation of 97 others in February of the same year.
With his removal, Pastor Omotoso now joins the ranks of hundreds of Nigerians who have been deported from South Africa in recent times.
