A Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, who was recently acquitted of multiple rape charges, has been rearrested for immigration offences, according to South African police on Saturday.
Omotoso was released last month after spending nine years in prison while on trial for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting several young women from his church.
His acquittal sparked widespread anger in South Africa, with the judge acknowledging that while the pastor’s explanations seemed unlikely, the state prosecutors had mishandled the case against him.
Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola informed journalists that immigration authorities and police apprehended Omotoso in East London on Saturday morning, immediately after a church service.
He stated that Omotoso would face charges related to violations of the Immigration Act and was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
The 66-year-old pastor of the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, based in South Africa, was initially arrested in 2017 on 32 charges, including rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.
Several young women testified that Omotoso personally selected them and would pray for forgiveness after each sexual encounter with them, some of whom were still minors at the time.
In April, Eastern Cape High Court judge Irma Schoeman criticized the prosecution’s handling of the case, stating that the state had failed to prove Omotoso’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, along with two assistants who also faced charges.
South Africa faces a severe issue with rape and gender-based violence, having one of the highest rates globally.
Police statistics indicate that over 42,500 rapes were reported in the 2023-24 financial year, averaging more than 116 cases daily.
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