The ANC has issued a warning to the judiciary as it takes the Goodman Gallery and City Press to court over Brett Murray’s controversial artwork.

The ANC is squaring up to the gallery and newspaper in court on Tuesday over the exhibition and publishing of Murray’s contentious artwork The Spear.

“If the judgment on this painting is not consistent with the judgment on Dubul’ iBhunu, questions will have to be asked,” ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe told reporters in Johannesburg, following the party’s latest national executive council meeting this past weekend.

The ruling party is seeking an urgent court interdict against the gallery and the newspaper, demanding the image to be removed from the exhibition and taken off the newspaper’s website, arguing that it violates President Jacob Zuma’s right to privacy and dignity.

Both the gallery and the newspaper stand by their decision to exhibit the portrait, claiming they are protected by their constitutional right to freedom of expression.

Murray’s painting depicts Zuma with his genitals exposed, and forms part of his Hail to the Thief II exhibition.

In response to this argument, Mantashe said rights must go hand in hand with responsibilities.  Read more…