Heaven help us, says Zuma

President Jacob Zuma has called for divine intervention to help him deal with "sinners".

Speaking in Reiger Park, Ekurhuleni, yesterday, at the launch of the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, Zuma said: "Something has gone wrong with our society. When I was young there were few churches. Which means there were fewer people who went to church, but the sinners were fewer as well. Today, there is a church on almost every corner and the sinners are a million.

"Is it possible, as you [the church ministers] talk to God all the time, to ask Him to change the plan so that Jesus comes not for the last time but to deal first with us and cleanse all our sins before he comes for the final time?"

Abusers, murderers and rapists had no place in communities, said Zuma.

"We must work with the police to ensure that these criminals are arrested and convicted of crimes against women and children. All abuse in rural and urban areas must be reported to the authorities for immediate action."

Reiger Park has made headlines recently with the deaths of Taegrin Morris, 4, who died in a hijacking in July, and, more recently, of Cuburne van Wyk, 3, whose burned body was found at a mine dump.

Zuma said the re-establishing of sexual offences courts would help fight violence against women and children.

About 30 regional courts have been upgraded to sexual offences courts since August last year.