Authorities in South Africa (SA) have pledged to continue legal proceedings against Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso.

The Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso, who is currently not in the country, was acquitted of rape charges in April this year.

Per reports, Timothy Omotoso sexually assaulted young women who were members of his church located in Port Elizabeth.In a statement, South African prosecutors had declared, "There are no legal grounds to prevent Mr Omotoso from leaving the country following his acquittal."

But the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in SA has disclosed that it will file an appeal despite a court declaring the televangelist not guilty.

One of the alleged victims claimed that she was raped by Mr Omotoso at 14.Timothy Omotoso was arrested in 2017 while attempting to flee South Africa.

According to South Africa's Department of Home Affairs, Mr Omotoso was captured in a video wearing a hoodie and dark sunglasses while relocating to Nigeria.

Following his acquittal in April, the Department of Home Affairs alleged that Mr Omotoso entered South Africa through illegal means.Earlier this month, the department, in a statement, classified Mr Omotoso as an "undesirable person," banning him from returning to South Africa in the next five years.

Timothy Omotoso heads the Jesus Dominion International Church in South Africa and its environs.

The church has branches in several countries, including UK, Nigeria, France, and Israel.