Free State African National Congress (ANC) leader Ace Magashule should be disciplined for his latest comments comparing Jesus and ANC leader Jacob Zuma, the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) said on Monday.
Provincial FF+ leader Abrie Oosthuizen said many Christians were getting tired of Magashule’s blasphemy.
”It shows his disrespect for the Christian faith.”
Oosthuizen was reacting to a report stating that Magashule told about 900 ANC delegates, who attended the provincial list conference in Bethlehem, that they should follow party leader Jacob Zuma the same way church-goers followed Jesus.
This was not the first time ANC leaders had drawn comparisons between party leaders and Jesus. Last year Zuma said the ANC would rule until Jesus returned. Magashule later followed that up by saying that Zuma suffered the way Jesus suffered during his prosecution.
Oosthuizen said the so-called suffering Zuma was enduring was due to his own actions, and was being used by the ANC to canvass votes.
Free State African Christian Democratic Party leader Casper Nordier said his party was ”shocked” by Magashule’s comments.
”His comments this weekend, and those of last year, clearly indicate that he has not got an idea of who Jesus Christ is and what he suffered. It is irresponsible to say such things.”
Nordier said Zuma was under a ”questionable cloud” while the history of Jesus was totally different. Jesus, he said, would never have sung ”Bring me my machine gun”.
Nordier was shocked by the latest comments and would take the matter up with Magashule personally.
The Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA) was also ”upset” by Magashule’s comment.
”God should not be the tool of any politician, not even for the most outspoken Christian party,” said CDA spokesperson Reverend Theunis Botha in a statement.
He said it was disappointing that ANC leaders continued to draw comparisons between party leaders and Jesus. The CDA was considering taking the matter to the Commission for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Religious, Language and Cultural Communities.
”God is not a political tool of anybody. To use the Lord’s name this way is offensive to Christians.”
Botha said Christians were working hard to establish a dispensation in the political field, subordinate to the word of God, reflecting the love and discipline of Jesus. — Sapa