Festival Mall: Pastor will summarily be removed if he preaches here

FESTIVAL Mall will not allow any type of gathering, organised by Pastor Steven L Anderson, his organisation or followers, on its premises.

Norbert Sasse, CEO of Growthpoint Properties, said in a statement issued earlier today: “We have been extremely concerned by the claims made that Festival Mall will welcome Pastor Steven 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.”

Anderson posted a video on Facebook on Wednesday, saying he was welcome at Festival Mall.

“We are aware of the concerns being raised in the media and on social media about his visit to South Africa, and in particular to Festival Mall.  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.

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“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,” Sasse said.

“Inferences have been made that Festival Mall supports his cause and that the mall has agreed to the property being a meeting place for him and his followers. We categorically deny this. 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.

“We 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 be removed.”