S’Africa Deports Nigerian Pastor Omotoso, Declares Him Undesirable
Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, has been deported from South Africa after the Department of Home Affairs declared him an undesirable person.
According to The South African, Omotoso was deported on Sunday via OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. He was escorted by police and immigration officials.
His deportation followed his acquittal, alongside Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, of charges including rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking after an eight-year trial that ended in April 2025.
The Department of Home Affairs stated that Omotoso had applied under Section 8(7) of the Immigration Act to reverse his prohibited status, but the application was denied by the Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber.
Spokesperson Siya Qoza explained, “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 uplifted 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.”
Omotoso, founder of Jesus Dominion International, had been rearrested in East London shortly before his deportation for immigration-related offences.
His acquittal drew public backlash, with civil society groups and activists criticising the National Prosecuting Authority’s handling of the case.
In response to the public outcry, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, according to the report, requested a detailed report from the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi.
“Kubayi said her concern stemmed from the apparent shortcomings in the prosecution’s handling of the case, resulting in a significant setback in the pursuit of justice for victims of gender-based violence and related crimes,” Kubayi was quoted.
According to Africanews.com, over 90 Nigerians were deported from South Africa in August 2024, following the earlier deportation of 97 others in February.
With his removal, Pastor Omotoso now joins the ranks of hundreds of Nigerians who have been deported from South Africa in recent times.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
