He had been found guilty by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) for similar sentiments in 2014.
The deputy chairperson of the SAHRC, Priscilla Jana condemns Bougardt’s comments.She argues that the reverends words were not only discriminatory and hurtful, but also totally unacceptable for a leader of a community.

The fact that he said “this in a public space and in a place of worship” makes the matter even worse as it advocates for widespread hatred in the community, Jana says.
After being found guilty by the SAHRC of anti-gay comments, Bougardt had said that he would refrain from speaking ill about the LGBTIQ community.

Apart from claiming that the drought in Cape Town should be blamed on homosexuals, the reverend has been known to refer to gay people as being perverted.
“Why should we be tolerant of their criminal lifestyle? Ninety-nine percent of paedophiles stem from homosexuality,” Bougardt had said.
“I’m saying so because it is proven that 99% of the paedophiles have a homosexual background. They are blaming their previous lifestyle on what happened. Go and read up on it.”
Jana believes that the sentencing handed down to Bougardt is a slap on the wrist, especially in light of everything that has happening in South Africa.

She argues that the issue of discrimination runs deep in the country and that any such acts should be punished accordingly.
The sentencing comes a day after the International Day Against Homophobia.

Source: News24