Timothy Omotoso, a Nigerian televangelist, was rearrested weeks after being acquitted of multiple rape accusations.
South African police and the Home Affairs Department announced that the televangelist was arrested early Saturday morning in East London.
It was gathered that the 66-year-old pastor at the Jesus Dominion International church based in South Africa was arrested in 2017 on 32 charges, including rape, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Several young women, some of whom were still in school at the time, claimed that Omotoso handpicked them and would pray for forgiveness after each encounter.
Omotoso was released last month after nine years in jail for raping and sexually assaulting young women from his church.
He was acquitted on all 32 charges of rape, trafficking, and sexual assault. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed Omotosho’s rearrest was due to immigration issues, and he will appear in court on Monday.
He said, “Well, I know it’s Omotoso. He was arrested this morning around 5 o’clock in East London as he was finishing at the church,” said
“Inspectorate immigration of the Department of Home Affairs, together with the South African Police Service and TRT [Tactical Response Team], did effect the arrest.
“The arrest is based on immigration matters. He will appear in court somewhere around Monday, and everybody will know exactly what charges he’s facing. But it’s immigration-related matters.”
