---
title: "Pastor Timothy Omotoso slapped with five-year ban as he leaves SA"
description: "Shortly before Nigerian televangelist Pastor Timothy Omotoso left South Africa on Sunday, he was met at the airport by immigration officials, who served him with a notice banning him from the country for the next five years."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "PROHIBITED PERSON"
author: "Estelle Ellis"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/estelle-ellis/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-05-18-pastor-timothy-omotoso-slapped-with-five-year-ban-as-he-leaves-sa/"
published: "2025-05-18T22:22:00"
updated: "2025-05-18T22:22:03"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 481
---

# Pastor Timothy Omotoso slapped with five-year ban as he leaves SA

> Shortly before Nigerian televangelist Pastor Timothy Omotoso left South Africa on Sunday, he was met at the airport by immigration officials, who served him with a notice banning him from the country for the next five years.

By Estelle Ellis · Published 19 May 2025, 00:22 SAST · Updated 19 May 2025, 00:22 SAST

## Key points
- In a dramatic exit worthy of a soap opera, Nigerian televangelist Pastor Timothy Omotoso donned a grey hoodie and was swiftly declared a prohibited person at OR Tambo Airport, effectively banned from South Africa for five years—just as his seven-year trial saga wrapped up with a controversial acquittal that has left legal experts scratching their heads.
- Nigerian televangelist Pastor Timothy Omotoso was declared a prohibited person and banned from South Africa for five years upon his departure from OR Tambo Airport.
- Omotoso, along with two co-accused, was acquitted of sexual assault and human trafficking charges after a lengthy trial, with the judge citing insufficient evidence from the prosecution.
- Home Affairs rejected Omotoso's application to overturn his prohibited status, confirming he was illegally in South Africa at the time of his departure.
- The National Prosecuting Authority is considering an appeal against the acquittal, while Omotoso's recent public event was met with police intervention and controversy.

## Content

Wearing a grey hoodie with his face covered, Nigerian televangelist Pastor Timothy Omotoso left South Africa from OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday afternoon, after flying from East London to Johannesburg.

At OR Tambo Airport, immigration officials served him with a notice declaring him a prohibited person and banning him from South Africa for five years.

Obed Molemo from Christians for South Africa confirmed that the police and Home Affairs officials met the pastor at the airport.

**Read more:**[Damning allegations made against NPA and prosecutor after televangelist Timothy Omotoso’s acquittal](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-04-03-damning-allegations-made-against-npa-and-prosecutor-after-televangelist-timothy-omotosos-acquittal/)

Molemo said he could not confirm whether Nigeria was Omotoso’s final destination.

Omotoso has been declared a prohibited person on two grounds: for overstaying his visa and for entering the country on a false permit.

He and his two co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho*,* had been tried in the Gqeberha High Court, charged with several counts of sexual assault and human trafficking.

In a marathon trial spanning more than seven years, they were acquitted after Judge Irma Schoeman ruled that the State had failed to prove its case. The judge noted that prosecutors had failed to properly cross-examine the accused and had not presented corroborating evidence.

The National Prosecuting Authority is exploring a possible appeal against the acquittal on charges of human trafficking and sexual assault.

After his release from prison, Omotoso held a public “New Dawn Crusade” — where he was arrested on the sixth day. His supporters extended an invitation to President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the event.

Omotoso was arrested pending deportation a week ago after he was once again declared a prohibited person in South Africa. He was released, however, so he could pursue his appeal.

**Read more:**

- [Controversial pastor’s ‘New Dawn’ march stumbles as Buffalo City says he is not welcome](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-04-28-controversial-pastors-new-dawn-march-stumbles-as-buffalo-city-says-he-is-not-welcome/)
- [Controversial pastor Timothy Omotoso arrested on immigration charges in East London](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-05-10-estelle-omotoso/)

Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza said the department had noted the departure of Omotoso from OR Tambo International Airport to Nigeria on Sunday.

“This comes after the minister of home affairs rejected an application submitted by Omotoso in terms of section 8(7) of the Immigration Act that sought to overturn an earlier decision of the department to declare Omotoso a prohibited person.

“The minister’s decision meant that Omotoso was illegally in the Republic of South Africa. Upon his departure, Omotoso was still a prohibited person and given that he was illegally in the country, he was issued with a notification as an undesirable person, meaning that he will not be able to return to the country for five years.

“On expiry of that five-year ban, he will have to apply for his prohibition to be lifted in terms of section 29 of the Immigration Act. The Department of Home Affairs continues to be guided by our unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law without fear or favour,” said Qoza. **DM**