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ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu yesterday confirmed that the party would seek a court interdict tomorrow.

The court hearing comes days after the controversial artwork - titled The Spear - made national headlines.

The ANC had demanded that the Goodman Gallery in Rosebank remove the painting from its walls, failing which the party would seek legal recourse.

But gallery owner Liza Essers rejected the demand, arguing that it amounted to censorship.

Mthembu reiterated the party's stance that it defamed Zuma's person and was not within the confines of freedom of expression.

"If one is insulted through what is called artistic expression, what legal recourse does one have?

"That is what we want to establish. We are going to court because we believe in the justice system. We believe the system is the best adjudicator on matters of freedom of expression," he said.

Meanwhile, the alliance gender structure of the ANC Women's League, Cosatu's gender committee and the SACP Women's League has joined the loud chorus of calls for artist Brett Murray's painting to be removed from the gallery's walls.

The group labelled the piece "distasteful" and said it was simply an attempt to humiliate the president.

"The alliance gender structures detest in the strongest possible terms the vulgar portrayal of the country's president.

"The painting is not only an insult to the president and to the ANC, but to all the South Africans who have been subjected to their president portrayed in this sexual manner. The painting is extremely insensitive and an expression of pure prejudice.

"It violates the integrity of the office of the president of the republic, and it violates his rights as an individual to humane and fair treatment," its statement said.

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Tue Jun 18 23:58:25 SAST 2013 ::

May 21, 2012

MorenaWaPolelo

I hope the judge knows what this is all about and has a clear mind as to ask himself how would he feel if the painting of his father with his gen.itals showing was displayed at the gallery!!!!!!!!
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May 21, 2012

Sugaar

It violates the integrity of the office of the president of the republic,
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The president must first respect himself and behave like a president.I don't see anything wrong with that picture.
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May 21, 2012

MommaC

Why did they never take Ayanda Mabulu to court?

Do they even realise that all this hallaballoo is adding value to the painting?
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May 21, 2012

Magwabane

Ja i have to say as much as I question the president's moral choices, this is downright disrespectful and a violation of his right to dignity. Some things are just wrong and this is not funny and the painting adds no value to the SA people. Its very diesrespectful
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May 21, 2012

maneater

@ Sugaar

could not agree with you more, the president likes to expose his member to all women, most young enough to be his daughters. so this potrait talks about that story, and we all know its the truth.

@ MorenaWaPolelo

well i would also be offended if it was my father but the difference is that my father is not known to take his member out for people my age. if a person drinks alot he is called a drunk, and this picture tells us what kind of a president we have.

by the way did you hear that Sonono khoza is pregant again??
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May 21, 2012

Phunyukabemphethe

Assume if Jacob Zuma is Female President, would Brett still expose female organs?
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May 21, 2012

FcukWaCutemtwana

@MommaC_true dat

Zuma must take a chill pill cause saying the painting potrays him as a womaniser is the honest truth, I'm sure Mswati will agree even see Zuma not appreciating being painted potraying what he loves best_BEING NAKED INSTEAD OF RUNNING THE COUNTRY

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May 21, 2012

mambaaai

all through history, all over the world, politicians that have behaved one way or another have drawn comments to themselves good or bad.... (if the painting is about zoom zoom of course) All through history fine art has also included these types of depictions as well even biblical characters have been included.... intersting reaction..... we fought for freedom.... the artist is free to express himself....

we always need to remember with freedom comes responsibility, it cuts both ways for the leader and the artist
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May 21, 2012

MorenaWaPolelo

maneater
Chief it is pointless to justify the painting and interpreting it as the picture of Zuma, the bottom line is two wrongs do not make a right. the man and his family does not deserve to be humiliated and disrespected like this.

On Sonono's pregies i know nothing please pray n tell are you the father???
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May 21, 2012

truthhurt

Shame on you Brett, that man is a husband to more than one, he is a father a grandfather an uncle, and most of all he is human, you dont do that... sies maan shame on you, and i have seen your work, its trash, trash,trash, yes South Africa is not a perfect country to live in but its history and its people deserve respect.
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