Self-styled Apostle Simon Mokoena yesterday summoned God's power to protect ANC presidential hopeful Jeff Radebe from his enemies during a service at his Tyrannus Apostolic Church in De Deur, south of Johannesburg.

"Your enemies must run away to seven directions," prayed Mokoena.

He said he had prayed for many politicians before and that the church's members climbed a mountain with President Jacob Zuma before he was elected head of state. Mokoena described Radebe as one of the people who had raised their hands to work for the people, a clear reference to the ANC head of policy's presidential ambitions.

"I anoint him right now, the battle before him is great. I build a wall of fire around him, strengthen him," Mokoena said, adding his church had a prophetic position on the ANC presidential race.

Accompanied by his wife Bridgette Radebe, the minister in the presidency was warmly received by congregants clad in the church's blue and red uniform.

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Radebe visited the church during its national youth conference, which ended yesterday, under the guise of promoting the National Development Plan (NDP).

Radebe asked the young congregants to be NDP's youth ambassadors. "Pray for our organisation (ANC) and all those fighting for economic emancipation."

He pleaded with congregants to also pray for leaders in government.

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Radebe said he held the people of the Vaal in high regard because they fought for freedom and justice - in reference to the massacre of 69 anti-pass protesters in March 1960 in nearby Sharpeville.

He said he was visiting the area for the second time in two months.

In June, the ANC in the Midvaal zone declared its support for Radebe's presidential campaign.