Mzansi celebrates as controversial Nigerian pastor, Timothy Omotoso finally deported
A mix of emotions has greeted the news of self-proclaimed man of God, Timothy Omotoso's deportation from South Africa.
With some hailing it as a relief and a sense of closure, while others highlight the failure of the justice system to hold him accountable for his alleged crimes.
Read more | From acquittal to arrest: Televangelist Omotoso detained on immigration charges
Timothy Omotoso, the Nigerian pastor and televangelist, has been deported from South Africa after a lengthy legal battle.
Omotoso was acquitted of 32 serious charges in April 2025.
Despite his acquittal, the Department of Home Affairs declared him a prohibited person, stating his continued stay in the country as unlawful leading to his arrest in East London on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Omotoso then appeared in East London Magistrate's Court - May 12, 2025, where he chose to be deported instead of contesting the Department of Home Affairs' decision and left South Africa from OR Tambo International Airport as broadcasted live by eNCA.
His deportation has been welcomed by ActionSA, which is further calling for a lifetime ban and not just five years.
The party's president, Herman Mashaba, in a press statement, stated that foreign nationals who commit crime in South Africa should face severe sentences and eventual deportation.
'Today, we welcome his deportation from South Africa and hope he never returns to a country whose people and laws he held in contempt. The same fate should befall anyone who either enters our country through fraudulent means or commits crime once here. While our call for harsh punishment against criminals is not limited to foreign nationals, we particularly advocate for severe sentences and eventual deportation in such cases. It is high time South Africa ceased to be seen as a haven for criminality.'
Omotoso's acquittal and deportation without facing any serious consequences and justice not prevailing has sparked widespread public outrage, with many describing it as a miscarriage of justice. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has announced its intention to appeal the acquittal despite him being deported.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Immigration judge says she needs more time to review case of a framed migrant accused of threatening Trump
An immigration judge on Wednesday said she needed more time to review the case of an undocumented immigrant who police investigators say was set up and delayed a hearing for a week. The man, Ramon Morales-Reyes, appeared before immigration Judge Carla Espinoza Wednesday morning over video conferencing, calling in from the Wisconsin jail he's currently being held in. In late May, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained Morales-Reyes after receiving a letter purporting to be from him threatening to kill President Donald Trump before self-deporting. Police quickly suspected a setup and, from reviewing jailhouse phone calls, discovered that a man who allegedly assaulted Morales-Reyes in 2023 had orchestrated the letters in order to have the migrant deported, court records allege. That man, Demetric Scott, has now been charged with several new counts including identity theft. Judge Espinoza said she needed more time to review evidence filed by Morales-Reyes over the letter, which was submitted last night by his attorney. 'A different individual has now confessed to writing that letter,' Morales-Reyes' attorney, Cain Oulahan, told the judge. Department of Homeland Security attorney Caitlin Corcoran told the judge that Morales-Reyes is eligible for a bond while his immigration proceedings play out. 'I'm not going to argue that he's ineligible for bond,' Corcoran said. 'He's bond eligible.' Corcoran also said she needed more time to review evidence around the letter, to which Oulahan quipped that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem already posted about the letter and accusation. 'I think the department should be aware of it,' Oulahan said, referring to Noem's previous post that accused Morales-Reyes of threatening the president. DHS has not removed or retracted Noem's statement accusing Morales-Reyes. Judge Espinoza said she would only be weighing whether Morales-Reyes is a danger to the community or a flight risk during the next hearing, scheduled for June 10. 'That is what I'll be analyzing during the next court hearing,' the judge said, noting that despite the case garnering news coverage, 'the court will look at the evidence before it. Not anything else.'
News24
an hour ago
- News24
Budget 3.0 on track; R900K accommodation for Mashatile: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. Mlungisi Louw/Gallo Images/Volksblad Asbestos tender trial postponed to 2026, frustrating Ace Magashule - The asbestos tender case involving former Free State premier Ace Magashule has been postponed to 26 January 2026, frustrating Magashule. - The postponement follows the State's request to appeal the court's ruling upholding Moroadi Cholota's special plea regarding her extradition. - Magashule expressed his dissatisfaction with the delay, questioning the State's readiness and citing the likelihood of further postponements. Land of the rising costs: R900 000 for accommodation for Mashatile, wife on R2.3m Japan trip - Deputy President Paul Mashatile's trip to Japan in March cost taxpayers R2.3 million, including over R900 000 for his and his wife's lodgings. - Mashatile's lavish spending on international trips, including a previous R5 million trip to Ireland and the UK, is under scrutiny following revelations about his opulent lifestyle. - ActionSA is questioning the high costs of executive travel, calculating that such expenses have already cost taxpayers over R184 million since July of last year. Phill Magakoe/Gallo Images Two young sisters in therapy after alleged sexual assault by motorsport executive - Two young sisters allegedly sexually assaulted by a motorsport executive are undergoing psychological and medical assessments. - The accused appeared in court on Wednesday, facing charges including rape, sexual assault and sexual grooming of a minor; the case was postponed to 13 August for further investigation. - The parents of the girls expressed their concern for their children's well-being and emphasised the importance of protecting children and listening to them when they speak up about abuse. 'Too aloof, too arrogant': MKP prepares to name new SG after Shivambu's reshuffle to Parly - Floyd Shivambu has been removed as the MK Party's secretary-general and will be redeployed to Parliament, reportedly due to 'sloppy' administration and his aloofness. - Phumlani Mfeka, a traditional leader and Jacob Zuma loyalist, is expected to be announced as the new secretary-general, having been personally lobbied by Zuma to join his party. - Busisiwe Mkhwebane and Bongani Baloyi were considered for the position, but Mfeka's influence with traditional leaders gave him more political weight within the party. Storm Simpson/News24 Budget 3.0 on track: Bonds extend gains as finance committee backs fiscal framework - South African lawmakers have backed the National Treasury's fiscal framework, signalling the annual Budget is likely to be approved. - The National Assembly's finance committee approved the framework, which outlines economic policy, revenue projections and spending limits. - South African bonds rallied following the news, with the benchmark government rand bond yield falling significantly. Rachel Kolisi's switch from Benz to Yaris sparks debate on humility, divorce and marriage law - Rachel Kolisi shared on Instagram about driving a borrowed Toyota Yaris instead of her Mercedes-Benz, sparking speculation about her financial situation post-separation from Siya Kolisi. - A legal expert clarified that without details of their divorce or marital property regime, it's unclear if Rachel's car choice reflects financial challenges or a personal decision. - South African divorce laws can lead to lifestyle adjustments for one spouse, depending on marital property arrangements, liability distribution or a spousal maintenance application.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Immigration judge says she needs more time to review case of a framed migrant accused of threatening Trump
An immigration judge on Wednesday said she needed more time to review the case of an undocumented immigrant who police investigators say was set up and delayed a hearing for a week. The man, Ramon Morales-Reyes, appeared before immigration Judge Carla Espinoza Wednesday morning over video conferencing, calling in from the Wisconsin jail he's currently being held in. In late May, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained Morales-Reyes after receiving a letter purporting to be from him threatening to kill President Donald Trump before self-deporting. Police quickly suspected a setup and, from reviewing jailhouse phone calls, discovered that a man who allegedly assaulted Morales-Reyes in 2023 had orchestrated the letters in order to have the migrant deported, court records allege. That man, Demetric Scott, has now been charged with several new counts including identity theft. Judge Espinoza said she needed more time to review evidence filed by Morales-Reyes over the letter, which was submitted last night by his attorney. 'A different individual has now confessed to writing that letter,' Morales-Reyes' attorney, Cain Oulahan, told the judge. Department of Homeland Security attorney Caitlin Corcoran told the judge that Morales-Reyes is eligible for a bond while his immigration proceedings play out. 'I'm not going to argue that he's ineligible for bond,' Corcoran said. 'He's bond eligible.' Corcoran also said she needed more time to review evidence around the letter, to which Oulahan quipped that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem already posted about the letter and accusation. 'I think the department should be aware of it,' Oulahan said, referring to Noem's previous post that accused Morales-Reyes of threatening the president. DHS has not removed or retracted Noem's statement accusing Morales-Reyes. Judge Espinoza said she would only be weighing whether Morales-Reyes is a danger to the community or a flight risk during the next hearing, scheduled for June 10. 'That is what I'll be analyzing during the next court hearing,' the judge said, noting that despite the case garnering news coverage, 'the court will look at the evidence before it. Not anything else.'
