South African prosecutors announced on Tuesday that they would appeal the acquittal of Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso, who was cleared of rape charges in a case that has sparked widespread outrage across the country in recent months.
Around 20 women have accused the Nigerian televangelist of sexual assault, with some alleging he raped them. The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of gender-based violence in South Africa, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to speak out against the ongoing crisis.
Omotoso was arrested on Saturday for an unrelated immigration offence and is facing charges, including human trafficking.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated, “The NPA believes there are reasonable prospects of a successful appeal despite the complexities involved in the legal process.”
The acquittal, handed down by the court, caused public anger as the judge found the pastor’s defence to be improbable but ruled that state prosecutors had mishandled the case.
Following the verdict, dozens of women gathered outside the tribunal in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) to protest.
The prosecutor’s office also confirmed that it was conducting an internal investigation into the conduct of the prosecution team. The investigation has now been extended to both prosecution teams, with a report expected in June. Should any misconduct be found, disciplinary action will be considered.
Omotoso, 66, was arrested in 2017 on 32 charges, following a manhunt. Multiple women testified that they were targeted by Omotoso before being sexually assaulted. Some victims were still in school at the time. The pastor reportedly prayed for forgiveness after each assault.
Omotoso leads the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, with its headquarters in Durban, South Africa, and branches in Nigeria and Israel.
