Anderson gained notoriety over his homophobic comments after the Orlando nightclub shooting and subsequent numerous anti-gay tirades.<\/p>\n
He planned to visit South Africa on a \u201csoul winning mission\u201d.<\/p>\n
However, local Abrie Viljoen, who is in the property business, Pretoria-based lawyer Coenie Kukkuk and Gay Radio SA\u2019s Hendrik Baird would have none of it.<\/p>\n
On July 8, the trio initiated a petition on Change.org and Allout.org to prevent Anderson from setting foot in the country.<\/p>\n
The petition gathered 60 000 signatures.<\/p>\n
They also compiled information which they used as evidence in a legal argument presented to Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaga, to banish Anderson from entering the country.<\/p>\n
Kukkuk put the case together and the dossier was handed to Gigaba.<\/p>\n
Viljoen said banning Anderson \u201cis a huge win not only for the LGBTI community, but for South Africa as a whole\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said the American pastor\u2019s teachings are a lot deeper than just being anti-gay.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat man is anti-Semitic, anti-Muslims and a threat to women\u2019s rights \u2013 he preaches racism, hate incitement and is against the government, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
On behalf of his team, Viljoen thanked the South African residents and business community for coming out to help to stop Anderson.<\/p>\n
\u201cA big thank you to businesses such as Premier Hotel, Holiday Inn, Spur, Festival Mall, Wimpy, Sugacube and Elridge Shopping Centre for banning him from their facilities,\u201d said Viljoen.<\/p>\n
He added that it was heartwarming to see South Africans pulling together against Anderson.<\/p>\n
He also applauded Gigaba for \u201chandling the matter like a pro\u201d.<\/p>\n
He added that it was not just Anderson who was banned but a group of four people who share his sentiments and beliefs.<\/p>\n
Anderson was also deported from Botswana on September 20.<\/p>\n
The pastor was apparently busy spouting his anti-gay message on a Botswana radio station when immigration officers entered the studios and escorted him out.<\/p>\n
The Botswana government also announced, via Twitter, that Anderson is now considered a \u201cprohibited immigrant\u201d.<\/p>\n
Anderson had planned a \u201cmeeting\u201d at Elridge Corner Shopping Centre on September 18.<\/p>\n