People want to remove me because I am telling the truth: Zuma
President Jacob Zuma says there are people who want to remove him as the country's leader because he is telling the truth.
He was speaking at the Twelve Apostles of Christ Church in KwaZulu-Natal.
"You have seen the types of people that were in those marches, those that have never marched before. That is revealing to us. What are they fighting for?"
The country has seen several marches calling for President Zuma to resign, following his decision to shuffle his Cabinet and remove former finance minister Pravin Gordan. The decision led to two international credit ratings agencies, Standard & Poor's and Fitch, deciding to downgrade the country to 'junk status'.
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But Zuma told those in attendance that the time has come for black South Africans to enjoy the benefits of the economy.
"We have not yet been freed economically. All we are saying is let the land of the people go back to the people. Because that is the reason for poverty. But there are those who say if you so that, it's like you are creating a crime. Now you are a black person and who want to make other people wiser. Now you must be removed."
President Zuma asked congregants to pray for the nation "so that the respect can come back".
"Because respect is one of the signs of showing wisdom within humanity. There is no one that can fight you when you respect."
He also called on religious leaders to not enter the world of politics, but rather stick to the word of God.
"Our preachers, our pastors, all they need to do if you make a mistake is teach us, remind us and forgive us. Continue that the love of God covers all of us… pray that we should be afraid of God."