Controversial televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been arrested again. Omotoso was detained on Saturday morning in East London, Eastern Cape, where he’s running a church. Omotoso was acquitted in April after spending 8 years in jail while on trial for rape
He was found not guilty on all 32 charges with the presiding judge, Irma Schoeman criticising the National Prosecuting Authority for failing to present strong evidence against the self-proclaimed pastor.
The South African Police Service said the latest arrest was for violation of the country’s immigration laws.
“At East London this morning at 5 o’clock, members of the Department of home affairs immigration inspectorate, together with the South African Police Service, NIU and TRT, arrested Omotoso in the town just after the church.
“He will be facing charges related to a violation of the Immigration Act and will appear in court on Monday. I am sure Home Affairs will elaborate more in terms of charges. He’s been arrested for a violation of the Immigration Act,” said National Police Commissioner Fanie Masemola.
“The arrest follows the decision of the Minister of Home Affairs to reject the application submitted by Omotoso in terms of section 8(7) of the Immigration Act that sought to overturn the earlier decision of the Department of Home Affairs to declare Omotoso as a prohibited person,” said the home affairs department in a statement.
While imprisonment can be imposed for immigration offences, the most common sanction has been deportation.
“The Minister’s decision means that Omotoso is now illegally in the Republic of South Africa and, therefore, subject to deportation. Omotoso earlier challenged his status as a prohibited person in court, and the court held that his status should be remitted back to the Department for reconsideration. After carefully reconsidering the matter, the Minister upheld the decision to declare Omotoso as a prohibited person,” said the home affairs department.
Omotoso’s aquittal resulted in much criticism against the criminal justice system with many alleging it was soft on crime. Omotoso is expected to appear in a Mdantsane court on Monday.