Pastor Timothy Omotoso Deported Back to Nigeria

(The Post News)- Following an extended legal process, televangelist Pastor Timothy Omotoso has finally departed the country for his home in Nigeria. The well-known pastor boarded a flight that left the O.R. Tambo International Airport on Sunday, the 18th of May.

Omotoso was initially apprehended back in the year 2017, where he was facing several serious charges, including human trafficking, rape and racketeering. One of his accusers, namely Cheryl Zondi, alleged that the televangelist started sexually violating her at age 14. He denied all charges and accusations against him. Together with his co-accused, Judge Irma Schoeman found him not guilty of all charges, on the basis that the state failed to prove its case beyond any reasonable doubt.

In early May, the famous Pastor was arrested yet again in East London in connection with immigration-related matters. However, he was released again within 48 hours as no formal charges were laid and the legal limit for detention without charge had been reached.

Following his departure, home affairs declared him not welcome to return to South Africa for the next 5 years. Home affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza said, “The Department declared Omotoso as a prohibited person, and he was illegal in the Republic. On his departure, he was then declared an undesirable person.” The spokesperson further explained that “the combination of both means that he (Omotoso) is not going to be allowed to return to the country for a period of five years. We are making sure that he understands what is it that the department is communicating to him.

We had explained to him that he is a prohibited person… the rights that he has at the expiry of that five-year period is to apply to the department to request permission to come back to the country.”

The Nigerian televangelist’s departure follows his failed attempt to reapply for his legal status in South Africa.