A Nigerian televangelist recently acquitted of multiple rape charges, Timothy Omotoso, has been rearrested in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Recall that Omotoso was arrested in 2017 for 32 charges, including rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fanie Masemola confirmed his rearrest on Saturday.
“This morning in East London at about 5am, the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Inspectorate, together with the South African Police Service, arrested Omotoso in the town just after the church.
“He will be facing charges relating to the violation of the Immigration Act,” Masemola said.
Omotoso’s rearrest comes weeks after he was acquitted on an array of charges including rape, human trafficking and sexual assault on several young women from his church.
His acquittal drew anger across South Africa after the judge found that, while the pastor’s explanations appeared improbable, state prosecutors had mishandled the case against him.
He and his two co-accused, Lusanda Sulani, 41, and Zikiswa Sitho, 33, faced 32 charges, which included racketeering, trafficking in persons, rape, and sexual assault.
It was gathered that the 66-year-old pastor at the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, based in South Africa, will appear in court on Monday.
