Oscar Bougardt calls gays “f*gs” as Steven Anderson invited to visit SA

An anti-LGBTQ political party in KZN invites banned American pastor Steven Anderson to visit South Africa while local hate preacher Oscar Bougardt insults gay people again.

The Daily Voice reported on Wednesday that the People’s Revolutionary Movement (PRM) has asked Anderson to address a gathering in Durban on 10 November 2018.

Launched in KwaZulu-Natal in 2016, PRM affirms the role of kings, queens and traditional leaders while condemning LGBTQ people and same-sex marriage.

“We need the pastor to address people on the Role of The Church in the Global Socio-Economic and Political Environment,” said PRM president Nhlanhla Buthelezi.

Anderson, however, is not allowed to enter the country. On 13 September 2016, Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba declared him “a prohibited person in South Africa” due to his hate speech.

Anderson’s biggest local fan, Cape Town pastor Oscar Bougardt, who recently visited his colleague in the US, said he was working “behind the scenes” to get the American into South Africa.

“The Word of God will be preached and nobody will be able to stop us. His banning to South Africa was a temporary setback,” Bougardt said. “He didn’t break any laws in SA, the minister was under pressure from f*gs so he gave in to them.”

Bougardt’s latest anti-gay slur is yet another violation of a May 2018 court ruling ordering him to stop making statements that are “discriminatory or incite hatred or harm on the grounds of sexual orientation” in violation of the Equality Act. Bougardt also told the Western Cape High Court that he would end his relationship with Anderson, which he has not done.

He was given a 30-day suspended jail sentence subject to him not violating the court order again. In a new petition, we are calling for the SA Human Rights Commission to ask the court to jail Bougardt for repeatedly violating the court order.

In the meantime, Home Affairs spokesperson Thabo Mokgola has confirmed that Anderson is “still banned” from entering South Africa. Hendrik Baird, Station Manager at GaySA Radio, who led the campaign to have Anderson stopped, slammed the preacher’s arrogance.

“Mister Anderson thinks he can do whatever he likes and say whatever he likes, however, I believe he is in for another big surprise,” Baird told Mambaonline, promising to fight the planned visit.

“How disingenuous of the People’s Revolutionary Movement to try and slip this hate monger into the country. GaySA Radio will immediately alert the authorities and take the necessary steps to put an end to Anderson’s travel plans,” he said.

Attorney Coenie Kukkuk, who represented GaySA Radio in the matter, added that “only the Minister of Home Affairs or a court may set the banning order aside.” Anderson has also been barred from entering Botswana, Jamaica, the UK and Canada.

To sign the petition to have Oscar Bougardt jailed for again violating his court order, click here.