Support and controversy surround ongoing saga of Timothy Omotoso

The legal battle surrounding Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso continues to polarise South Africa, as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Eastern Cape has officially filed for an appeal against the recent High Court ruling in Gqeberha.

Last month, Judge Irma Schoeman cleared Omotoso and his two co-accused of multiple rape and human trafficking charges.

The decision sparked immediate backlash, particularly from women’s rights groups and the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL), who argue that the justice system has once again failed victims of gender-based violence.

NPA spokesperson, Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga, stated that the appeal decision was not taken lightly. “This is a complex case involving a voluminous transcript. However, after careful analysis by a team of experienced prosecutors and external legal counsel, we believe there are reasonable prospects for a successful appeal,” Mhaga explained.

The NPA has now taken the first procedural steps by filing papers with the registrar of the High Court, seeking clarification on Judge Schoeman’s factual findings. Only after this clarification can the NPA move forward with a formal appeal based on a question of law, as per Section 319 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

Yet, amid the legal intricacies and public outcry, a perplexing and controversial element persists: Timothy Omotoso still enjoys a surprising amount of support from young South African women. Outside court proceedings, groups of predominantly young female supporters have consistently rallied behind the pastor.

Chanting and holding signs declaring his innocence, they have become a visible and vocal counterforce to the outrage expressed by civil society. Some of these women cite their experiences at his church, claiming he changed their lives, healed them spiritually, and offered hope in desperate times.

Others argue that the media and justice system are targeting him unfairly because of his foreign nationality and high profile. This unwavering support from young women has baffled and disheartened many activists and observers. ANCWL deputy provincial secretary Nomakhosazana Nongqayi openly criticised the continued in-camera court proceedings and Omotoso’s presence in South Africa.

“The justice system is not only protecting the accused, it is excluding the very people it claims to defend — women,” she stated. “How can the community be expected to trust a system that keeps its doors closed while perpetrators walk free?”

Adding fuel to the controversy is Omotoso’s unresolved immigration status.

Now facing charges of being in the country illegally, the televangelist’s legal troubles are far from over. Meanwhile, the NPA is also investigating potential misconduct by both past and current prosecution teams, with disciplinary actions on the table.