The South African police, the Hawks, has arrested a Durban-based Nigerian pastor Tim Omotoso, 58, who is being accused of molesting young girls.
Omotoso, the senior pastor of the Jesus Dominion International, was arrested on Thursday as soon as his flight landed at Port Elizabeth airport at about 3pm.
He was found in the women toilet at the arrival section where he attempted to hide, the police spokesperson, Robert Netshiunda told SABC News.
Mr. Omotoso’s lawyer, Terry Price, had accused the South African police of maltreating his client.
“They (the police) are worse than Mugabe’s thugs in Zimbabwe,” the lawyer was quoted as saying.
“Since when do you arrest an unarmed pastor with eight armed men? He is not a danger.”
A video footage showed heavily armed police officers from the crime unit, whisking him into a waiting car amidst cheers by bystanders.
According to SABC News, Omotoso allegedly handpicked the girls (about 30 of them) and instructed them to live in his house where they were forced to have unprotected sex with him.
Some of the victims already have spoken publicly about the sexual harassment they suffered in the hands of the pastor.
The police said he has been charged with human trafficking. Protesters who gathered outside the courtroom on Friday asked that his request for bail be denied, while his church members demanded for his release.
Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court has postponed the case to May 3rd and ordered his remand in prison.