Omotoso barred from SA for five years
The Department of Home Affairs says Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been barred from entering South Africa for the next five years.
Omotoso left the country on Sunday after he was arrested by immigration officials in East London earlier this month.
His detention came a few weeks after the Eastern Cape High Court acquitted him on more than 30 charges, including rape and human trafficking.
He had been behind bars since his initial arrest in Gqeberha eight years ago.
The department's spokesperson, Siya Qoza, says they welcome his departure.
READ: Omotoso set to leave South Africa
"This comes after the Minister of Home Affairs rejected an application submitted by Omotoso in terms of section 87 of the Immigration Act. That sought to overturn an earlier decision of the department to declare Omotoso as a prohibited person.
"The minister's decision meant that Omotoso was illegally in 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."
