South African Prosecutors to Appeal Acquittal of Nigerian Pastor Timothy Omotoso Amid Public Outcry
South African prosecutors announced on Tuesday their intention to appeal the recent acquittal of Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso, whose rape case has sparked widespread outrage across the country. The controversial ruling has drawn criticism from women’s rights groups and civil society organizations who view it as a significant setback in the fight against gender-based violence in South Africa.
Timothy Omotoso, a prominent televangelist and leader of the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, was initially arrested in 2017 after a nationwide manhunt. He faced 32 charges, including multiple counts of rape, human trafficking, and racketeering.
The case involved serious allegations brought forth by approximately 20 women, many of whom claimed they were targeted, groomed, and sexually assaulted by Omotoso while they were minors or young adults.
According to testimonies presented during the trial, Omotoso is alleged to have handpicked his victims—many of them schoolgirls—under the guise of offering spiritual mentorship and opportunities within his church.
Several of the women described a pattern of systematic abuse in which the pastor would assault them and subsequently justify his actions through prayer, asking for forgiveness after each incident. These revelations painted a disturbing portrait of manipulation and exploitation within a religious context.
Despite the gravity of the charges, the court recently acquitted Omotoso of rape, citing prosecutorial mismanagement as a key factor in the failure of the case. While the presiding judge acknowledged that Omotoso’s defense was “improbable,” he ruled that the prosecution had not adequately proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. This decision has been met with significant public and institutional backlash.
Following the verdict, dozens of demonstrators, including gender-based violence activists and members of the public, gathered outside the courthouse in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) to express their anger and frustration.
The case has drawn attention at the highest levels of government, with President Cyril Ramaphosa previously referencing it when decrying what he termed a “pandemic of gender-based violence” in South Africa.
In response to the court’s decision, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) issued a statement confirming its plans to challenge the acquittal. “The NPA takes the view that there are reasonable prospects of a successful appeal despite the complexities of the legal process,” the statement read. Prosecutors believe that errors in handling the case can be corrected on appeal and that justice can still be served.
In addition to lodging the appeal, the NPA announced an internal review into the conduct of the prosecution teams involved in the case.
Initially limited to the first team of prosecutors, the investigation has now been expanded to include the second team as well. “The scope of the investigation has been extended to include both prosecution teams, with a view to identify, if necessary, disciplinary steps to be taken against persons involved,” the authority stated. A report on the findings of this investigation is expected in June.
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Omotoso, now 66 years old, was also recently arrested on unrelated immigration charges, further complicating his legal situation. His church, Jesus Dominion International, is headquartered in Durban and maintains branches in Nigeria and Israel. The institution has been the subject of scrutiny due to its founder’s legal troubles and the serious allegations made by former congregants.
The case continues to resonate deeply in South Africa, a country grappling with high rates of sexual violence. In the 2023–2024 financial year alone, more than 42,000 rapes were reported to South African police.
Many see the handling of the Omotoso case as emblematic of systemic failings within the criminal justice system when it comes to protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators of gender-based violence.
As the appeal process moves forward, the outcome will be closely watched both locally and internationally, as it holds significant implications for justice, accountability, and the broader fight against sexual violence in South Africa.