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SA rape cartoon is 'derogatory' | SA rape cartoon is 'derogatory' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
South African cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro at the centre of a row over his drawing of ruling party leader Jacob Zuma has admitted it is "derogatory". | South African cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro at the centre of a row over his drawing of ruling party leader Jacob Zuma has admitted it is "derogatory". |
But he told the BBC it was defendable, after reports that he may face legal action over the cartoon showing Mr Zuma about to rape the "justice system". | But he told the BBC it was defendable, after reports that he may face legal action over the cartoon showing Mr Zuma about to rape the "justice system". |
Protests are planned outside the court which is to decide if a corruption case against Mr Zuma can proceed on Friday. | Protests are planned outside the court which is to decide if a corruption case against Mr Zuma can proceed on Friday. |
Mr Zuma, who denies the graft charges, defended his right to criticise judges. | Mr Zuma, who denies the graft charges, defended his right to criticise judges. |
The African National Congress (ANC) leader, who is favourite to become president next year, made the comments in a lecture to students on Tuesday, two days after the Sunday Times newspaper's cartoon appeared. | |
He said he did not believe judges "should be beyond criticism", as long as it was informed and did not undermine their independence. | |
"It is only in dictatorships and autocracies where criticism is viewed with contempt," the Associated Press agency quoted him as saying. | "It is only in dictatorships and autocracies where criticism is viewed with contempt," the Associated Press agency quoted him as saying. |
Meanwhile, former South African President FW de Klerk has written to current President Thabo Mbeki, calling on him to actively protect the judiciary against intimidation from supporters of Mr Zuma. | Meanwhile, former South African President FW de Klerk has written to current President Thabo Mbeki, calling on him to actively protect the judiciary against intimidation from supporters of Mr Zuma. |
Replying to the letter, President Mbeki said he had seen no evidence of interference in South Africa's courts. | Replying to the letter, President Mbeki said he had seen no evidence of interference in South Africa's courts. |
Mr Zuma has said he will stand down as ANC leader only if he is found guilty of the charges - corruption, fraud, racketeering and money-laundering. | Mr Zuma has said he will stand down as ANC leader only if he is found guilty of the charges - corruption, fraud, racketeering and money-laundering. |
'Disgusting' | 'Disgusting' |
The controversial cartoon, which has dominated headlines in the South Africa this week, shows a woman, wearing a sash with the words âJustice Systemâ, being pinned down by four figures. | The controversial cartoon, which has dominated headlines in the South Africa this week, shows a woman, wearing a sash with the words âJustice Systemâ, being pinned down by four figures. |
They represent the ANC, the ANC Youth League, the South African Communist Party and the trade union organisation, Cosatu. | They represent the ANC, the ANC Youth League, the South African Communist Party and the trade union organisation, Cosatu. |
It is derogatory, yes, it is demeaning, yes, but that's the intention Jonathan "Zapiro" Shapiro | It is derogatory, yes, it is demeaning, yes, but that's the intention Jonathan "Zapiro" Shapiro |
"Go for it, Boss!" they say to Mr Zuma, who was acquitted of rape charges in 2006, shown unbuckling his belt. | "Go for it, Boss!" they say to Mr Zuma, who was acquitted of rape charges in 2006, shown unbuckling his belt. |
In a statement on Monday, the ANC, the SACP and the ANCYL called the cartoon "disgusting" and Cosatu has asked for an apology from the Sunday Times, which first published the cartoon. | In a statement on Monday, the ANC, the SACP and the ANCYL called the cartoon "disgusting" and Cosatu has asked for an apology from the Sunday Times, which first published the cartoon. |
But Mr Shapiro, known by his pen name "Zapiro", said he drew the "shocking image" of Mr Zuma as a "metaphor for what he's doing to the justice system". | But Mr Shapiro, known by his pen name "Zapiro", said he drew the "shocking image" of Mr Zuma as a "metaphor for what he's doing to the justice system". |
He said that Mr Zuma had attempted to undermine the independence of the judiciary in order to get corruption charges "wiped off the slate". | He said that Mr Zuma had attempted to undermine the independence of the judiciary in order to get corruption charges "wiped off the slate". |
"The aspect of Mr Zuma's own personal history of having been acquitted of a charge of rape is a secondary issue in this cartoon," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme. | "The aspect of Mr Zuma's own personal history of having been acquitted of a charge of rape is a secondary issue in this cartoon," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme. |
"The primary issue is there's a figure about to rape the justice system with the help of his political allies," he said. | "The primary issue is there's a figure about to rape the justice system with the help of his political allies," he said. |
"It is derogatory, yes, it is demeaning, yes, but that's the intention." | "It is derogatory, yes, it is demeaning, yes, but that's the intention." |
Shadow of corruption | Shadow of corruption |
Mr Shapiro said he had been an ANC supporter all his life and South Africa had a "fantastic constitution". | Mr Shapiro said he had been an ANC supporter all his life and South Africa had a "fantastic constitution". |
"I feel that the ANC brought in the best things in this country and I think it is they that are threatening them," he said. | "I feel that the ANC brought in the best things in this country and I think it is they that are threatening them," he said. |
The shadow of corruption has been hanging over Mr Zuma for several years. | The shadow of corruption has been hanging over Mr Zuma for several years. |
In 2005 he was sacked as South Africa's deputy president when his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was found guilty of soliciting a bribe on behalf of Mr Zuma and jailed for 15 years in connection with an arms deal. | In 2005 he was sacked as South Africa's deputy president when his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was found guilty of soliciting a bribe on behalf of Mr Zuma and jailed for 15 years in connection with an arms deal. |
Mr Zuma then went on trial, but the case collapsed in 2006 when the prosecution said it was not ready to proceed. | Mr Zuma then went on trial, but the case collapsed in 2006 when the prosecution said it was not ready to proceed. |
He was charged again last December shortly after winning a bitter campaign against President Thabo Mbeki to become ANC leader. | He was charged again last December shortly after winning a bitter campaign against President Thabo Mbeki to become ANC leader. |
In February 2006, Mr Zuma was acquitted of rape in a separate case, though he was widely criticised for comments about sex and HIV/Aids. | In February 2006, Mr Zuma was acquitted of rape in a separate case, though he was widely criticised for comments about sex and HIV/Aids. |
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