Omotoso back in custody on immigration offence
Controversial Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been re-arrested, a month after he and his co-accused were acquitted on charges of rape and human trafficking charges.
Police swooped in at 5am on Saturday morning, shortly after Omotoso concluded a church service in East London.
"He was arrested at 5 this morning in East London, when he was finishing at church,” said National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
He addressed the media on the sidelines of a police funeral in the Free State.
"The immigration inspectorate of SAPS effected the arrest. It is based on immigration matters. He will appear in court, everyone will know exactly what charges he is facing, but it is immigration related.”
Omotoso is being held at the Mdantsane Police Station in the Eastern Cape.
What’s happened since the acquittal?
The re-arrest comes just a month after the Gqeberha High Court acquitted Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Solani and Zukiswa Sitho, on all charges.
These included rape, human trafficking, and racketeering.
Judge Irma Schoeman ruled the State had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
She was critical of the prosecution’s handling, particularly their failure to properly cross-examine witnesses.
"I do not find the accused’s explanations to be convincing,” Schoeman said.
“However, due to shortcomings in the State’s case and the lack of proper cross-examination, I cannot find that their versions are so improbable that they cannot reasonably be true.”
The court had heard distressing accounts from witnesses, including twin sisters Anele and Neliswa Makaza, who were allegedly recruited to Omotoso’s church choir before being taken to a mission house and sexually assaulted.
"After the sexual assault, accused one prayed, ‘God have mercy on us’. This happened more than once to each of them,” the judge read from the sisters' testimony.
Survivors Speak Out: “We Stand By Our Truth”
Following the acquittal, survivors publicly reaffirmed their stories and condemned the years of intimidation they've endured from Omotoso’s supporters.
Penny Msibi said some of the women had faced psychological and emotional abuse, including online harassment and threats.
"Not only have we been threatened, but we’ve also been exposed to social media attacks, defamation, and attempts to shame us into silence,” said Msibi.
"We laid criminal charges, and one person was sentenced to three and a half years for threatening me. That was proof this is not a fantasy, the threats were real.”
Cheryl Zondi, the first witness to testify in 2018, vowed to continue speaking out.
"We once broke the silence, and we will not stop using our voices. We didn’t lie. We stand by our truth, whether the system stands with us or not, we are not going anywhere.”
Inquiry Into Prosecution Launched
The CRL Rights Commission, along with other Chapter 9 institutions, has launched a commission of inquiry into the acquittal and handling of the case.
"The acquittal is a devastating blow, especially to the young women who came forward, made sacrifices, and hoped for justice after years of pain,” said CRL Chairperson Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva.
"We are appalled by the poor quality of work from the prosecution, as flagged by Judge Schoeman. It raises questions about whether we have the right people in place to ensure justice is served.”
She warned that failures by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) have undermined public trust and could discourage victims from reporting abuse.
"This judgment exposes serious gaps in the system,” she added. “If left unchecked, these failures will undermine the broader fight against gender-based violence.”
The inquiry will summon institutions and individuals involved in the case, with the NPA expected to be among the first to appear.
Justice Minister Demands Answers
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has requested a full report from the NPA, including an analysis of the court’s decision and whether prosecutorial failures contributed to the collapse of the case.
"My fear, as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, is that this ruling may discourage others from coming forward, especially those who have bravely testified against powerful individuals,” said Kubayi.
"We must assure the country that we are serious about tackling gender-based violence and femicide, not just in words but in action. We cannot continue to protect perpetrators, we must stand with victims.”
Kubayi said she would address the nation once she receives the report, vowing to restore public confidence in the justice system.
NPA Under Review After Court Criticism
National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi described the ruling as a travesty of justice and has requested a transcript of the proceedings.
"The NDPP has expressed serious concerns about adverse findings made by the judge against the prosecution team relating to how the case was conducted,” said the NPA.
Batohi confirmed the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, is reviewing the judgment to decide whether to appeal.
"The NDPP appreciates the public outrage… in view of its devastating impact on the victims and the fight against gender-based violence,” the statement read.
The NPA maintains that it is committed to handling sexual offences effectively, citing its Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit as an internationally recognised structure.
Omotoso: “I Just Want to Rest”
After his acquittal, Omotoso told journalists outside court: “The only thing I can say is I thank God. Only God can speak to me when the time is right. But for now, I just want to rest.”
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