By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Nigerian pastor and televangelist Timothy Omotoso has left South Africa for Nigeria amid a string of legal battles.
Images showed Omotoso at the airport in a grey hoodie and sunglasses, chatting to an immigration official.
Omotoso chose to be deported after being re-arrested by immigration officials in East London on May 10. The Department of Home Affairs has declared him a prohibited person, citing that his continued stay in the country is unlawful.
A magistrates court ordered this week he be released, ruling that he could not be detained for more than 48 hours without being charged.
Earlier this year, on April 2, the Gqeberha High Court acquitted Omotoso of 32 serious charges, including rape.
He had previously faced over 90 allegations, including rape, human trafficking, and racketeering.
He and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani, aged 41, and Zikiswa Sitho, aged 33, had faced 32 counts ranging from racketeering and trafficking in persons to rape.
The trial spanned eight years before the acquittal.
Omotoso was originally arrested in 2017. His high-profile trial drew national attention and sparked widespread public outrage.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said this week they would appeal against his acquittal for rape and would investigate the team that handled the case.
NPA takes the view that there are reasonable prospects of a successful appeal despite the complexities of the legal process,” it said.
Omotoso heads the Jesus Dominion International church, headquartered at the eastern coastal city of Durban.