Hate speech pastor probed for human rights violations

A Cape Town pastor with multiple convictions of hate speech against the LGBTIQ+ community is being investigated again by the SA Human Rights Commission (HRC) after he strongly condemned gay comedian Marc Lottering’s participation in a church service. Lottering was last month invited to the front of New Hope Church by Pastor Jose van Rensburg. Pastor Oscar Bougardt of Calvary H.O.P.E Ministries reacted sharply to Van Rensburg’s gesture. Bougardt was found guilty of contempt of court by the Equality Court in August 2023 for violating a court order, itself arising from a 2014 hate speech conviction against the LGBTIQ+ community. City Press reports that he was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for five years, on condition that he makes no further ‘statements about sexual orientation’ on social media. Zena Nair of the HRC confirmed that the commission brought numerous applications against Bougardt for his ‘various violations’. The commission is considering Bougardt’s recent remarks to determine whether, in light of the 2023 court order, a violation occurred – and if so, the commission will once again approach the Equality Court.