Tutu to pray for the downfall of Zuma's ANC

South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has launched a blistering attack on President Jacob Zuma's government, saying he would go as far as praying for the ANC's demise.

"We will pray as we prayed for the downfall of the apartheid government, we will pray for the downfall of the government that misrepresents us," a furious Tutu said at a news conference on South Africa's failure to grant a visa to Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

"Our government is worse than the apartheid government, because at least you were expecting it from the apartheid government." said Tutu.

Yesterday, two days before Tutu's 80th birthday, the Dalai Lama - who first applied in June for a visa to visit South Africa - withdrew his application because he did "not want to create any inconvenience to anyone, individuals or governments," his office said.

Included in the Tibetan leader's South African itinerary was delivering the inaugural Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture at the University of the Western Cape.

It is romoured that the South African government was to inform him yesterday that his application had been denied.

This is the second time in two years that the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been refused entry into the country.

Tutu, who shouted and wagged a finger as he spoke, said Zuma did not represent him.

"Hey Mr Zuma, you and your government don't represent me. You represent your own interests."

The retired archbishop spoke of how disgusted he had been when he had sat in parliament during Zuma's state of the nation address, listening to "this president of ours" failing to pay tribute to the religious leaders who helped in the fight against apartheid.

Tutu was once called 'The evil little Bishop' by President Mugabe and South African struggle icon, Winnie Mandela, also once called him 'that cretin'.