The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has sent a letter to Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba wanting to know why he can’t ban a homophobic American pastor who is headed to South Africa in September.
The SAHRC’s chairperson‚ advocate Lourence Mushwana‚ says they have received numerous complaints detailing “instances where (Pastor Steven) Anderson is reported to have in the past expressed hateful‚ harmful and/or hurtful statements toward members of the LGBTI community as well as members of the Jewish and Muslim communities”.
In an online petition which has garnered nearly 37 000 signatures, the local LGBTI community demanded Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba refuse entry to SA to Anderson.
Home Affairs spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete said the minister is not in a position to turn away the pastor, as he didn’t need a visa to come into SA.
But Mushwana says Immigration Laws state that a person can be prohibited from entering the country by the Minister or a Director General.
The SAHRC has asked for a detailed report from Gigaba by this afternoon.