Pray for the ANC: Mantashe

Gwede Mantashe (Picture: AFP)

Parys - ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe asked for divine intervention on Sunday from a church congregation in Parys in the Free State.

"We ask for prayers. Do not just pray for government, pray for the ANC," he told congregants during an election campaign trail at the AME church in Tumahole township.

"The ANC is a tool in the hands of God to change people's lives."

He said it was a rule for everyone in the ANC to attend church on Sundays, especially during political work.

"It is not because of the ANC's ways that we are in government... it is through God's will."

Referring to the Economic Freedom Fighters, Mantashe told congregants to ask its members how they would deal with the issue of land.

The EFF's policy was to redistribute land without compensation.

"Look at Zimbabwe. It used to be the bread basket of Africa. Today it imports almost everything. The Zimbabwean dollar has disappeared. This economy will disappear if that is the example we want to follow," he said.

Mantashe urged the congregation to vote ANC, "even though your vote is your secret".