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Home Affairs' system listed Omotoso as a prohibited person and his permit as fraudulent.
Televangelist Timothy Omotoso in the dock of the Port Elizabeth High Court. Picture: ANA
Controversial Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso may have left South Africa, but his wife is now in the sights of authorities.
Omotoso left the country on Sunday after he was last month acquitted by the Gqeberha High Court on several charges, including rape, racketeering and human trafficking.
He was recently declared a prohibited person and arrested by police and home affairs officials for being in the country illegally. He was released last week pending an appeal against the charge.
While the NPA plans to haul him back to court in an appeal against his acquittal on the rape, racketeering and human trafficking charges, reports claim he could be dashing out of the country before they do.
Fraudulent permits
Chief Director of Immigration Law Enforcement Stephen van Neel said they were made aware of the pastor’s plans to leave on Saturday.
“When he arrived here [OR Tambo International Airport] this [Sunday] morning, we took him through our immigration process and found he had a valid Nigerian passport. It was issued a few weeks ago.
While the system listed him as a prohibited person, it also flagged his permit as fraudulent.
“We intend to monitor his movements closely.”
Department to investigate Omotoso’s wife
Van Neel suggested that Omotoso’s wife may still be in the country, and her paperwork would be investigated to determine whether it was fraudulent too.
“Early indications are that she is not legal in the country, and we will follow that through”.
When Omotoso left
A Mercedes-Benz carrying the Omotoso was reportedly followed into the airport precinct by a van carrying both uniform and plain-clothed officers on Sunday afternoon.
Dressed in a grey hoodie and dark glasses, Omotoso walked with confidence toward his flight.
He stopped to speak to an immigration official before being flanked by a bodyguard and police as he headed to the gate.
He refused to answer any questions, including whether he planned to return to SA at some point.
WATCH: Omotoso leaving South Africa
[BREAKING NEWS] Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso arrives at OR Tambo International Airport to board a plane to his home country. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/AbNiYe6nMs
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 18, 2025
HAPPENING NOW: Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso is boarding a flight to Nigeria right now.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 18, 2025
Omotoso was recently acquitted of rape and human trafficking charges, a shocking outcome after years of explosive courtroom testimony.@MongeziKoko pic.twitter.com/0UilkfoCzv
Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza told the media that Omotoso would not be allowed back into the country for five years, after which he will have to apply for consideration.
“We made sure he understands this and his rights,” he added.
NOW READ: ‘The system has failed us’: Omotoso victims speak out following acquittal
