Controversial homophobic pastor ‘defies’ court order
CONTROVERSIAL Cape Town pastor Oscar Bougardt continues to preach against homosexuality despite the court finding him guilty for making statements that discriminate and incite hatred against homosexuals in 2018.
“Homosexuality according to my religious beliefs is a sin and I keep on preaching against this abomination until I am called home by God,” he said.
Bougardt came under fire over homophobic remarks he made a few years ago, including “homosexuality equals to crime” and “homosexuals must be prosecuted” and “jailed for their homosexual activity”.
He was later found guilty of hate speech by a Cape Town court for repeatedly making homophobic comments. But Bougardt maintain that he is not homophobic.
He recently came under the spotlight after a poster about him running for mayor of the City of Cape Town circulated on social media. He said this was a joke that people fell for, and he had no intention of becoming involved in politics.
“I said nothing derogatory or homophobic about anyone (in the poster). Go to Facebook and read what I said on there, they have a problem because I called the party the Straight Party, that is their problem.
“They are the ones who are homophobic, and by the way I am not homophobic because I am not scared of any homosexual. My problem is, they don’t want me to say anything about their lifestyle and according to my lifestyle, and according to scripture, their lifestyle is an abomination and I will keep on preaching about it.
“If I was just an ordinary citizen who was not found guilty of hate speech after I was dragged before the Equality Court by homosexuals and the Human Rights Commission, they wouldn’t have bothered,” he said.
South African Human Rights Commission commissioner Chris Nissen said Bougardt was in contempt of court yesterday. “Whatever he posts, whatever he preaches and says is in contempt of court, and the Western Cape Human Rights Commission, which is handling this complaint, should take the necessary steps for him to comply with the outcome of the court as he is defying a court of law,” he said.