Page 10 - 16 May 2025

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PAGE 10 THE REPORTER 16 MAY 2025
Timothy Omotoso,
the controversial televangelist,
arrested in Eastern Cape
Robin-Lee Francke (IOL)
robin.francke@iol.co.za
Image: Facebook
The controversial televangelist, Timothy
Omotoso, 66, from Nigeria, has been arrested in
the Eastern Cape
The National Commissioner African Police Service,
of the South African Police arrested Omotoso in the
Service (SAPS), General town just after the church.
Fanie Masemola confirmed “He will be facing charges
this on Saturday. relating to the violation of the
“This morning in East Immigration Act,” Masemola
London at about 5am, the said.
Department of Home Affairs Omotoso appeared in court
Immigration Inspectorate, on Monday.
together with the South According to information,
Omotoso is being held at the included racketeering,
Mdantsane police station. trafficking in persons, rape,
Omotoso’s arrest comes and sexual assault.
weeks after he was acquitted It is alleged that Omotoso,
on an array of charges who was addressed as “the
including rape, human man of God”, was the leader
trafficking and sexual of the Jesus Dominion
assault. International (JDI) church,
and his co-accused were his
He and his two co-accused,
Lusanda Sulani, 41, and assistants.
Zikiswa Sitho, 33, faced 32 The case was ongoing for
counts of charges which eight years.
Eastern Cape man
sentenced to six
months for SASSA
disability grant fraud
by Sinenhlanhla Masilela
The Mthatha Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern
Cape sentenced a social grant fraudster Anele
Gxumeka to six months of direct
imprisonment.
This decision follows Mhlakuvana said the Sassa
Gxumeka’s fraudulent doctor promptly alerted the
attempts to benefit from the police, and then later the
South African Social matter was referred to the
Security Agency (Sassa) H a w k s f o r t h o r o u g h
while manipulating medical investigation.
documents to secure a "Investigations confirmed
social grant. that Gxumeka submitted
Hawks spokesperson, fraudulent documents to
Warrant-Officer Ndiphiwe Sasssa with the intent to
defraud the institution.
Mhlakuvana, said on
Hence his arrest in February
February 9, 2023, 41-year-
2023," added Mhlakuvana.
old Gxumeka went to the
Lusikisiki Sassa offices with Meanwhile, Sassa Eastern
the intent to apply for a Cape regional executive
disability grant. manager Bandile Maqetuka
commended the frontline
"Gxumeka submitted his desk staff for their diligence
medical doctor documents and added that most
detailing his health history fraudulent activities were
condition to the designated usually discovered after
Sassa medical doctor for significant financial losses.
perusal. Upon scrutinising
the documents, the doctor “It is commendable that the
became suspicious after agency has not incurred any
financial loss in this case. We
picking up discrepancies in
appreciate collaborative
the medical card.
efforts of SAPS and Sassa in
"Furthermore, the doctor ensuring that justice is
also picked up that the served.
illness transcribed on the “While this may seem like a
documents, did not make minor fraudulent case, the
Gxumeka qualify for a sentence sends a strong
disability grant. Therefore, message that fraud will not
SASSA promptly alerted the be tolerated at Sassa," he
police, and then later the said.
matter was dispensed to the
H a w k s f o r t h o r o u g h sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.c
i n v e s t i g a t i o n , " s a i d o.za
Mhlakuvana. IOL News