South African prosecutors announced plans to appeal the rape acquittal of Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso, following a court ruling that has sparked public outrage and renewed focus on the country’s gender-based violence crisis.
Omotoso, founder of the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, was cleared of rape charges last week after the judge cited prosecutorial missteps as a key reason for the decision, despite noting the implausibility of the pastor’s testimony.
In response, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed on Tuesday that it believes there are “reasonable prospects” for a successful appeal and is moving forward with legal steps to challenge the ruling.
The case has drawn national attention, with nearly 20 women accusing Omotoso of sexual misconduct, including rape and abuse. Some of the women were reportedly minors at the time of the alleged incidents, and several testified that Omotoso would pray for forgiveness following the assaults.
The pastor was originally arrested in 2017 on multiple charges, including rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking, after a manhunt. He was recently re-arrested for a separate immigration violation.
The NPA is also conducting an internal investigation into the handling of the case, expanding its review to include both prosecutorial teams involved. Disciplinary actions may follow, with a report expected in June.
Protests erupted outside the Gqeberha High Court as the verdict was delivered, with women’s rights groups expressing anger over the acquittal and calling for accountability. President Cyril Ramaphosa previously described gender-based violence as a national crisis.
Omotoso’s JDI church, headquartered in Durban, maintains branches in Nigeria and Israel. In the 2023–24 financial year, South African police recorded over 42,000 rape cases, underscoring the widespread nature of the issue.