Friday, April 4, 2025 - South African Political organisation, ActionSA, has called for the deportation of South Africa-based Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, following his acquittal on r@pe charges by the Gqeberha High Court.
Omotoso, along with his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and
Zukiswa Sitho, were released on Wednesday, April 2, after spending eight years
in detention
The 66-year-old senior pastor of Jesus Dominion
International Church in South Africa, Omotoso, faced allegations of r@ping and
trafficking young women, including members of the gospel group, Grace Galaxy
and school-aged girls.
Arrested in 2017, Omotoso was charged with multiple
offences, including s£xual ass@ult and human trafficking.
His church, located in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth,
was eventually shut down after angry crowds gathered around the building in
protest
According to IOL, a South African news outlet, the country’s
National Prosecuting Authority is considering all possible options to ensure
justice for the complainants.
The NPA spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, explained that the
prolonged legal proceedings had affected witness participation.
“The delays caused some witnesses to no longer want to
proceed with giving evidence, as they indicated they have since moved on with
their lives and are not interested in reliving their experiences in court,”
Tyali stated.
Reports also suggest that Omotoso will be deported to
Nigeria following his acquittal, although no official confirmation has been
provided.
Meanwhile, ActionSA, a political organisation founded by
former Johannesburg Mayor, Herman Mashaba, has called for Omotoso’s immediate
removal from South Africa.
In a statement, the group condemned individuals who exploit
faith for personal gain and insisted that Omotoso had no place in the country.
“ActionSA firmly opposes the infiltration of South Africa by
dubious entrepreneurs and self-proclaimed ‘biblepreneurs’ who prey on
hard-working and unsuspecting citizens. These individuals exploit faith and
desperation, robbing people of their innocence and hard-earned money,” the
statement read.
“Our concern lies with those who, like Timothy Omotoso, have
entered our country and swiftly become entangled in criminal activities,” the
statement continued.
“Omotoso, in particular, has been accused of heinous crimes,
including human trafficking, sexual assault, and racketeering involving
vulnerable women and underage children.”
Describing his acquittal as “a devastating blow to victims
and a glaring indictment of our immigration services, the criminal justice
system, and the National Prosecuting Authority’s ongoing failure to deliver
justice”, ActionSA emphasised the need for accountability.
The organisation further demanded that Omotoso and his
associates be added to the national sex offenders’ register and barred from any
roles that grant them access to vulnerable individuals.
“Furthermore, we call on immigration authorities to revoke
Omotoso’s residency status and immediately deport him to Nigeria. South Africa
cannot be a refuge for those who exploit and harm its people,” the statement
concluded.
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