Timothy Omotoso, a Nigerian televangelist in South Africa acquitted of raping young women in his church, is set to return to his home country.
The development comes days after prosecutors revealed that they plan to reopen the case.
Omotoso was found not guilty on 32 charges, including rape, sexual exploitation and human trafficking last month after spending eight years in prison.
The not-guilty verdict led to backlash among South Africans after the presiding judge stated that the case was mishandled by prosecutors.
According to SABC and Newsroom Afrika television, Omotos, 66, is to leave Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport for Nigeria.
The cleric was seen in broadcast images at the airport in a grey hoodie and sunglasses, conversing with an immigration official.
A transport ministry official who spoke with AFP disclosed that Omotoso did not have to seek clearance from them to leave South Africa.
Omotoso pastors the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, with its headquarters at the eastern South African coastal city of Durban.
He was arrested on May 10 on immigration charges, and the South African government said he was subject to deportation.
His release was ordered by a magistrate’s court, where it was pointed out that Omotoso could not be detained for more than 48 hours without being charged.