Pretoria - The SA Police Service was the first group on Tuesday to hold prayers for the critically ill Nelson Mandela outside the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria.
The former president was spending his 25th day in the hospital being treated for a recurring lung infection, after being admitted on June 8.
Captain Moses Sithebe led a small group of officers of the crime intelligence and protection unit, whose offices are situated opposite the private hospital, in prayer for the anti-apartheid icon at the wall where countless messages of support have been left.
The unit provides protection for the president and all former presidents of the country.
Sithebe said God had a purpose to unite the world through Mandela.
“God is the only one, who knows our day. He's the only one who could count each and every hair on your head.”
He said police hoped Mandela's health would improve.
“Day by day, we seek a miracle of God in the life of Madiba. We seek a miracle of God to wake him up. Others said it is time for him to go, but God said, it is not done yet.”
Sithebe said each day Madiba spent in hospital was a miracle to unite the world.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions in Gauteng was expected to pay its respects to Mandela later on Tuesday, after its e-toll protest. - Sapa