American anti-gay pastor deported from Botswana for hate speech

Controversial American pastor Steven Anderson who is noted for hate speeches against homosexuals has been arrested and deported from Botswana.

The government announced his expulsion in a statement on Tuesday following an interview he granted on local radio repeating his hatred for homosexuals.

“The pastor Steven Anderson, a citizen of the United States of America, was declared an illegal immigrant therefore he was deported from Botswana,” the government said.

AFP reports that the pastor of the Faithful Word Baptist Church in Arizona also called homosexuals “pedophiles” on the radio.

“I hate homosexuals. I only hate homosexuals and not other people,” they quoted the preacher.

“God has shown his reaction to homosexuality when he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah,” he added referring to the Bible.

Steven Anderson was banned from entering South Africa by the Minister for Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, last Tuesday after he announced his planned visit.

Three members of his church were also denied entry into the country on Saturday.

The church gained international attention in 2009 when Pastor Steven Anderson declared hatred for Barack Obama in a sermon and wished for his death.

He had gone on to attack France after the Paris attacks in 2015 and also the US after the Orlando nightclub shooting in 2016 where he called the victims “pedophiles”.

Homosexuality is illegal in Botswana, while South Africa legalized gay marriage in 2006.