Anti-gay pastor, Anderson, deported from Botswana

GABORONE: The controversial American anti-gay pastor Steven Anderson has been deported from Botswana just four days after arriving in the country.

Intelligence agents and immigration officials escorted Anderson to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport by mid-morning yesterday where he was to board the next flight out of the country.

It was not yet clear which flight he was to board since he was not allowed into South Africa, the common exit/transit for many Southern Africa passengers going abroad. His photographer was left stranded.

“This is to confirm that Pastor Steven Anderson, a citizen of the United States of America, has been declared a Prohibited Immigrant and as such he is being deported from Botswana,” said a brief statement from the government of Botswana.

Earlier, Anderson had been on a private radio station, Gabz FM, on which he hosted a show with the pastor of a local church.

The morning show, known as Breakfast with Reg was overwhelmed with callers after Anderson had referred on air to gay and lesbians as satanists, who should be killed.

Although the audience was divided, there was emotional exchange between him and the audience.

He indicated that he intended opening a church in Botswana, which would spread to other countries in the region.

He had already conducted a sermon in a makeshift church.

He said that the world had gone crazy and that he was not afraid of speaking his mind, even if it meant upsetting influential people.

By last night, Anderson’s whereabouts remained unknown.

The US Embassy in Botswana was not available for comment. – Mercury Correspondent