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Church plans prayer service for Zuma
By WERNER SWART
JACOB Zuma is seeking God. A massive prayer service for the ANC deputy president is planned for Sunday at the Rivers of Living Waters Ministry in Vereeniging.
In a year where Zuma’s hopes of playing a significant part in politics are pinned on him being elected ANC president at the end-of-year conference in December, Zuma may need divine intervention.
He is likely to be recharged with corruption in the coming months.
The service is planned in conjunction with the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust in Gauteng.
Trust spokesman Kaizer Mohau said the service would provide moral support to Zuma ... and bolster his coffers.
When asked if forgiveness would be sought for Zuma’s much- publicised personal strife, including admitting having had sex with the HIV-positive daughter of one of his struggle comrades, Pastor George Lebusa said no.
“All we want is for him to come here and enjoy the House of the Lord,” said Lebusa.
“His past mistakes are not at issue here.
“He needs our prayer, similar to everyone else who has sinned in the past, and has their own things in the closet”.
Lebusa said Zuma needed the prayers of ordinary people, asordinary people could not judge another on the mistakes they may have made in the past.
Zuma has been severely criticised for his lifestyle and attitude, because of the many controversial statements he made during his appearance on a charge of rape in the Johannesburg High Court last year, and his statements concerning gay men.
Lebusa said Zuma was not the first high-profile leader to visit the church for a special prayer service.
They hosted Thabo Mbeki in 1998, when he was still the country’s Deputy President, current Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka in 2006, and a host of other politicians – including African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe.
“Our doors are open to everyone, and we will pray for anyone and everyone... we hope he (Zuma) will leave the service feeling replenished”.
A business luncheon to further raise funds for Zuma, and for the church’s project in Evaton, outside Vereeniging, will also be held after the prayer service.
The trust has continued raising funds for Zuma’s legal expenses but has refused to divulge how much money it has received to date.
– werners@citizen.co.za
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