Weeks After Rape Acquittal, Nigerian Pastor Timothy Omotoso Rearrested In South Africa

Sixty-six (66) years old Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, was on Saturday rearrested in South Africa on charges bordering on immigration violations.

Omotoso was taken into custody early Saturday morning in East London, Eastern Cape, shortly after a church service.

LEADERSHIP understands that Omotoso’s arrest was carried out by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs Immigration Inspectorate.

The arrest was in collaboration with the South African Police Service’s (SAPS), National Intervention Unit (NIU) and Tactical Response Team (TRT).

Confirming the arrest through its X (formerly Twitter), the SAPS said, “The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, confirms the arrest of Televangelist Timothy Omotoso this morning in East London by the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Inspectorate together with the SAPS’ National Intervention Unit (NIU) and Tactical Response Team (TRT) on charges related to the Immigration Act. ML.”

Masemola, in a short video posted on the SAPS platform that Omotoso was apprehended at 5am “after finishing at church.”

The SAPS chief said Omotoso will appear in court on Monday and that further details on the charges will be provided by the Department of Home Affairs.

Omotoso’s fresh ordeal comes weeks after he was discharged and acquitted by the Eastern Cape High Court in April on 32 charges bordering on rape, human trafficking and racketeering.

He and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, were cleared after the court ruled the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The Nigerian televangelist had been accused of exploiting and sexually abusing young women, including members of the gospel group – Grace Galaxy and school-aged girls.

The high-profile case, which began in 2017, attracted widespread attention across South Africa and Nigeria.

Following the acquittal, some of the accusers expressed disappointment, while the CRL Rights Commission announced an inquiry into how the case was handled.

Omotoso is currently detained at Mdantsane Police Station, while authorities prepare for his court appearance on immigration-related charges.