Crime

South African Pastor: Oscar Pistorius is ‘cursed’ for supporting gay rights

Feb 27 2013
Written by Corinne Pinfold

A Christian pastor in South Africa has suggested that Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius – who is currently standing trial for the murder of his girlfriend – has been “cursed” for supporting gay rights.

Oscar Bougardt, a pastor with the Cavalry Hope Ministries, claimed on his Facebook page that Pistorius is “cursed for openly supporting homosexuals”.

The Paralympian is currently on bail and awaiting the start of his trial on 4 June.

He is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot through the bathroom door of their home in Pretoria on 14 February. Pistorius claims he mistook her for an intruder.

Pistorius had been part of South Africa’s ‘It Gets Better’ campaign, but was dropped before the launch because of the murder trial.

In his ‘It Gets Better’ video he said: “Just remember that you’re special. You don’t have to worry. You don’t have to change. Take a deep breath and remember ‘It will get better’.”

Mr Bougardt posted on Facebook: “I believe that Oscar Pistorius is cursed for openly supporting homosexuals. According to the Holy Word of God, homosexuality is an abomination to God, and any person who supports homosexuals are doomed for hell.”

He later removed the comments, but told the Cape Times: “I will continue to make statements until I die. Someone needs to speak out about their filthy lifestyles.”

“One of the reasons I removed it was because homosexuals have been harassing me, screaming at me and verbally abusing me,” he added. “It’s not because I’ve changed my stance on what I said. I feel it’s a truthful comment.”

He then went on to blame South Africa’s high crime rates on “homosexuals coming into our communities, picking up boys and giving them drugs and alcohol”.

“Our children are getting confused by these perverts,” he said.

Mr Bougardt is currently being investigated by the South Africa Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) for a long track record of homophobic comments, including sending out hate emails to gay groups and arguing that Archbishop Desmond Tutu should “burn in hell” for accepting gay people.