JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa has barred an American pastor who has made anti-gay comments from entering the country.

Malusi Gigaba, the home affairs minister, said Tuesday that Steven Anderson and members of the Faithful Word Baptist Church of Tempe, Arizona will not be allowed to travel to South Africa because they allegedly promote hate speech.

Gigaba says South Africa is still struggling to curb discrimination despite laws that are among the most "progressive" in the world. He says the country does not "need more hatred advocated to our people."

Anderson has made harshly critical comments about homosexuals. His church website lists a "soul-winning marathon" in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Activists had urged South Africa's government to bar him from entering.