Pastor Timothy Omotoso slapped with five-year ban as he leaves SA

Wearing a grey hoodie with his face covered, Nigerian televangelist Pastor Timothy Omotoso left South Africa from OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday afternoon, after flying from East London to Johannesburg.

At OR Tambo Airport, immigration officials served him with a notice declaring him a prohibited person and banning him from South Africa for five years.

Obed Molemo from Christians for South Africa confirmed that the police and Home Affairs officials met the pastor at the airport.

Read more: Damning allegations made against NPA and prosecutor after televangelist Timothy Omotoso’s acquittal

Molemo said he could not confirm whether Nigeria was Omotoso’s final destination.

Omotoso has been declared a prohibited person on two grounds: for overstaying his visa and for entering the country on a false permit.

He and his two co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho, had been tried in the Gqeberha High Court, charged with several counts of sexual assault and human trafficking.

In a marathon trial spanning more than seven years, they were acquitted after Judge Irma Schoeman ruled that the State had failed to prove its case. The judge noted that prosecutors had failed to properly cross-examine the accused and had not presented corroborating evidence.

The National Prosecuting Authority is exploring a possible appeal against the acquittal on charges of human trafficking and sexual assault.

After his release from prison, Omotoso held a public “New Dawn Crusade” — where he was arrested on the sixth day. His supporters extended an invitation to President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the event.

Omotoso was arrested pending deportation a week ago after he was once again declared a prohibited person in South Africa. He was released, however, so he could pursue his appeal.

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Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza said the department had noted the departure of Omotoso from OR Tambo International Airport to Nigeria on Sunday.

“This comes after the minister of home affairs rejected an application submitted by Omotoso in terms of section 8(7) of the Immigration Act that sought to overturn an earlier decision of the department to declare Omotoso a prohibited person.

“The minister’s decision meant that Omotoso was illegally in the Republic of South Africa. 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 lifted 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,” said Qoza. DM