While Festival Mall in Kempton Park on the East Rand cannot deny him access as a private individual‚ it will not allow ‘homophobic’ US pastor Steven Anderson or his followers to host a gathering on its premises‚ the mall’s owners‚ Growthpoint Properties‚ say. It warned that he would be removed if he attempted “to canvas or preach” on its premises.‘Homophobic’ pastor will be allowed into SAThe Minister of Home Affairs‚ Malusi Gigaba‚ cannot turn away a 'homophobic' pastor who is headed for South Africa in September. This comes on the heels of announcements by Premier Hotels‚ Spur and Wimpy that have already stated that the controversial will not be welcome in their establishments.Anderson is a noted hate preacher‚ who responded to the murder of 49 people at an Orlando gay nightclub by proclaiming on YouTube that there are now “50 less paedophiles in the world”. The video is now banned. Anderson wants to come to South Africa to hold a “soul winning marathon”‚ which has met with a petition calling on the government to block his entry into the country.However‚ the government announced on Thursday that it cannot prohibit him from entering the country. This despite turning down a visa for the Dalai Lama three times in five years at the request of the Chinese government.According to his itinerary available on Facebook‚ Anderson‚ along with Paul Wittenberger‚ and about 20 or so others from the US and Canada‚ is planning to start the marathon at the Running Waters Spur in Festival Mall for breakfast and fellowship from 9am-10am.Growthpoint Properties CEO Norbert Sasse said in a statement on Thursday that the group was aware of the concerns being raised in the media and on social media about Anderson’s visit to South Africa‚ and in particular to Festival Mall.“Firstly‚ I want to assure you that Growthpoint does not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We definitely do not support any form of hate speech‚ and we believe every individual has the right to live the way they choose‚ according to our Constitution. Growthpoint has staff members‚ suppliers‚ clients as well as family and friends that are members of the LGBTQI community‚ and we absolutely respect their choices and value their contribution to our business.“With this in mind‚ we have been extremely concerned by the claims made that Festival Mall will welcome Pastor L Anderson. To date‚ we have received no application from him‚ his organisation‚ or his followers to host a gathering on our property. If such a request is received‚ we assure you that permission will not be granted‚” Sasse stated.He said that inferences had been made that Festival Mall supported Anderson’s cause‚ and that the mall had agreed to the property being a meeting place for him and his followers‚ which he categorically denied.“We do however‚ wish to emphasise that malls are public places‚ and that legally we are not in a position to deny him access as a private individual if he wishes to transact on the premises‚” Sasse stated.“We wish to reiterate that we do not support Pastor L Anderson’s messages of hate in any way. We do not allow any political or religious movements to canvas or preach on Growthpoint property‚ and if any attempt is made by Pastor L Anderson to do so‚ he will be summarily removed‚” Sasse added...