The Botswana government has confirmed the deportation of controversial anti-gay pastor Steven Anderson from the southern African country.

The government took to its official Twitter page to confirm rumours of the pastor's return to his home in the United States, saying he had been "declared a prohibited immigrant".

Anderson had previously been banned from entering South Africa over his critical remarks about homosexuality and gay rights, with authorities saying that he was in contravention of certain parts of the Constitution. banned from entering South Africa

The outspoken pastor took to his Facebook page shortly after his visa was denied in South Africa and claimed his gratitude for Botswana accepting him.

BBC reported earlier that Anderson was being held at the country's immigration department, awaiting his deportation. 

Other reports indicated that the pastor was set to be deported following a radio interview. It, however, remained unclear what he spoke about during the interview. BBC