South Africa based ,Nigerian pastor, Tim Omotoso who is accused of molesting the congregants of his church including teenage girls has been taken into custody.
The Hawks earlier confirmed they are investigating allegations of human trafficking against the televangelist - following a lead by the SABC's Special Assignment.
The controversial Nigerian pastor was arrested on Thursday, April 20, at the Port Elizabeth airport in a dramatic show by the Hawks and some members of the police's tactical response unit.
The plane touched down at the airport at around 3pm when he and other passengers entered the baggage arrival hall, members armed with automatic weapons rushed into the area as he appeared to be fleeing.
In the confusion, some members were seen running through the airport looking for him but he was found inside the toilet in the arrivals.
He was then marched out of the toilet and the airport building to an awaiting car, as crowds at the airport cheered his arrest.
Hawks spokesperson, Robert Netshiunda says the evangelist could be facing more charges.
"We have arrested him for trafficking persons. We are laying that charge now. Because we are investigating further, there's a possibility of us adding more charges," he said.
Below is a statement issued by the South African Police Service on Thursday:
"The #Hawks’ #HumanTrafficking Unit in Port Elizabeth has on Thursday, 20 April 2017 arrested a Durban-based pastor on a charge of human trafficking in Port Elizabeth.
The 58-year-old pastor allegedly trafficked young women and girls from various branches of his church to a house in, uMhlanga, Kwazulu-Natal where he allegedly exploited them sexually.
The pastor was arrested shortly after landing at the Port Elizabeth International Airport by the Hawks and the South African Police Service’s Tactical Response Team (TRT) members.
The suspect will appear before the New Law Court in Port Elizabeth on Friday, 21 April.
More photos and the video below...WATCH THE VIDEO
No comments:
Post a Comment