Latest news with #JesusDominionInternationalChurch
Daily Maverick
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Pastor Omotoso continues legal battle over cancelled crusade venue, mayor's statements in East London
The Jesus Dominion International Church in East London and Pastor Timothy Omotoso are continuing legal action against the Buffalo City metro after mayor Princess Faku ordered the cancellation of their booking at the Orient Theatre, where Omotoso was scheduled to lead a 'New Dawn' crusade. Although Pastor Timothy Omotoso has since left South Africa, Stuart Laubscher, the Nelson Mandela Bay metro based lawyer representing The Jesus Dominion International Church in East London said he was still taking instructions from his client and intended to proceed with legal action against the metro and mayor Princess Faku over the cancellation and events leading up to Omotoso's departure from the country. In April, Omotoso was released from prison after Judge Irma Schoeman acquitted him on several charges of human trafficking and sexual assault. The charges stemmed from allegations by several young female congregants, who claimed Omotoso had sexually assaulted them in a church residence in Durban. Judge Schoeman ruled that the State had failed to prove its case, citing, among other issues, its failure to properly cross-examine Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, and to lead corroborating evidence to strengthen the case of each witness. The National Prosecuting Authority has now taken the first steps to attempt to appeal this ruling and has asked for 'clarifications' on the ruling. Following his release from prison Omotoso relocated to East London where his church, Jesus Dominion International, was still active. At the beginning of May the church planned a 'New Dawn' crusade in the city led by Omotoso. For this purpose they rented the Orient Theatre in East London for R14,575. Faku, however, ordered that the booking be cancelled and said publicly that Omotoso wasn't welcome in the city. On 10 May, the second-last day of the crusade, Omotoso was arrested in a joint operation by immigration officials and the police pending his deportation. He was declared a prohibited person in South Africa. He was released from custody though to provide him with a chance to appeal this ruling, but then left the country of his own accord on 18 May. He has been banned from South Africa for five years and should he wish to return after that he must apply for his prohibition to be lifted, according to a statement by the Department of Home Affairs. Laubscher, however, said last week that Omotoso 'didn't have to leave South Africa' but did so of his own accord. He confirmed that he was awaiting instructions on how to proceed in taking legal action against the Buffalo City metro, for cancelling the church's booking and against Faku personally. He said in a letter that their case is that the municipality – including the mayor – acted outside the scope of its power by cancelling Jesus Dominion International's booking at the Orient Theatre and the church now wanted its deposit back. 'Pastor Omotoso was acquitted of all charges in the High Court in Gqeberha. The reason for his acquittal is at this stage of no importance or relevance. Under South African law he is innocent of all charges,' he said. 'The reason they advanced infringes upon our client's rights under the South African Constitution in various ways, which does not need any further explanation as it is glaringly obvious, including but not limited to their rights to religious freedom,' he added. He added that Omotoso's reputation was damaged by Faku's statements and the municipality's actions, and their contention was that the mayor and municipal officials have abused their power. 'There is a substantial claim against the municipality (and other parties) and we are just awaiting instructions to issue summons,' Laubscher said. In a letter addressed to the metro and Faku, Laubscher said the church's booking was cancelled without justification and this constituted a 'misuse of public office and authority'. 'The booking was paid for in full and received by the municipal officials in East London and was summarily cancelled by yourself and this constitutes a breach of contract,' the letter addressed to Faku reads. He added that his client wanted the reasons for the cancellation of the booking 'in writing and not via social media'.
The Herald
18-05-2025
- The Herald
Pastor Timothy Omotoso deported back to Nigeria
Controversial Nigerian televangelist Pastor Timothy Omotoso was deported from SA on Sunday. The head of the Jesus Dominion International Church, who was recently acquitted of rape and human trafficking charges, flew from his home in Durban to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, from where he was escorted to his next flight by home affairs and police officials. The process to have the 66-year-old deported started after his arrest in East London last week after the department of home affairs rejected his application to have the department's decision to declare him a prohibited person overturned. It is believed he has since agreed to a voluntary deportation process. Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, were found not guilty on 32 charges including rape and human trafficking in the Gqeberha high court on April 2. The case was marred by mismanagement of witnesses and evidence by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and judge Irma Schoeman ruled that while she might subjectively believe the complainants, the state had presented nothing to disprove the account presented by the accused. The Herald
TimesLIVE
18-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Pastor Timothy Omotoso deported back to Nigeria
Controversial Nigerian televangelist Pastor Timothy Omotoso was deported from South Africa on Sunday. The head of the Jesus Dominion International Church, who was recently acquitted of rape and human trafficking charges, flew from his home in Durban to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, from where he was escorted to his next flight back to Nigeria by home affairs and police officials. The process to have the 66-year-old deported started after his arrest in East London last week after the department of home affairs rejected his application to have the department's decision to declare him a prohibited person overturned. It is believed he has since agreed to a voluntary deportation process. Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, were found not guilty on 32 charges including rape and human trafficking in the Gqeberha high court on April 2. The case was marred by mismanagement of witnesses and evidence by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and judge Irma Schoeman ruled that while she might subjectively believe the complainants, the state had presented nothing to disprove the account presented by the accused.
TimesLIVE
13-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
State to appeal acquittal of Omotoso, two others
Eastern Cape director of public prosecutions Barry Madolo has decided to appeal the judgment of the Gqeberha high court which acquitted Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and two others. The leader of the Jesus Dominion International Church (JDI) faced 63 charges with his co-accused and JDI members Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho. Last month the court said the cross-examination of the accused was of poor quality and the state failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Tuesday the decision to appeal followed a thorough consideration of the matter by an internal team of experienced prosecutors and a legal opinion sourced from senior counsel. It said the decision could not be rushed due to the complexity of the matter and the voluminous transcript that needed to be studied. 'The NPA believes there are reasonable prospects of a successful appeal despite the complexities of the legal process,' spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said. A convicted person may appeal a conviction on facts and the law. However, the state can only appeal an acquittal on a question of law, as opposed to facts, in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act.
