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Zuma sues South Africa cartoonist | Zuma sues South Africa cartoonist |
(30 minutes later) | |
South Africa's ruling party leader Jacob Zuma is suing a cartoonist for $712,300 (£464,200) for a controversial drawing of him published in September. | South Africa's ruling party leader Jacob Zuma is suing a cartoonist for $712,300 (£464,200) for a controversial drawing of him published in September. |
In the Sunday Times newspaper cartoon, Jonathan Shapiro draws Mr Zuma about to rape the "justice system". | In the Sunday Times newspaper cartoon, Jonathan Shapiro draws Mr Zuma about to rape the "justice system". |
It appeared at a time when Mr Zuma was facing a corruption trial, which was later dismissed on a technicality. He was acquitted of rape in 2006. | It appeared at a time when Mr Zuma was facing a corruption trial, which was later dismissed on a technicality. He was acquitted of rape in 2006. |
Mr Shapiro, known as "Zapiro", says the cartoon is derogatory but defendable. | Mr Shapiro, known as "Zapiro", says the cartoon is derogatory but defendable. |
Mr Zuma, favourite to become president after general elections next year, has denied charges of graft, money-laundering and racketeering. | Mr Zuma, favourite to become president after general elections next year, has denied charges of graft, money-laundering and racketeering. |
In October, prosecutors were given leave to appeal against the trial's dismissal. | In October, prosecutors were given leave to appeal against the trial's dismissal. |
Damage to dignity | Damage to dignity |
The controversial cartoon shows a woman, wearing a sash with the words âJustice Systemâ, being pinned down by four figures. | The controversial cartoon shows a woman, wearing a sash with the words âJustice Systemâ, being pinned down by four figures. |
ZUMA TIMELINE June 2005: Sacked as deputy president October 2005: Charged with corruption December 2005: Charged with rape April 2006: Acquitted of rape charges September 2006: Corruption case collapses December 2007: Elected ANC president; re-charged with corruption shortly afterwards September 2008: Judge rules corruption case cannot proceedOctober 2008: Prosecutors given leave to appeal the trial's dismissal2009: Elections due Timeline: Zuma's legal problemsZuma: Comeback kid | |
They represent the ANC, the ANC Youth League, the South African Communist Party and trade union organisation Cosatu. | They represent the ANC, the ANC Youth League, the South African Communist Party and trade union organisation Cosatu. |
"Go for it, Boss!" they say to Mr Zuma shown unbuckling his belt. | "Go for it, Boss!" they say to Mr Zuma shown unbuckling his belt. |
Mr Zuma is suing for damage to his reputation and damage to his dignity, the South African Press Association reports. | Mr Zuma is suing for damage to his reputation and damage to his dignity, the South African Press Association reports. |
The demand was dated a week after the cartoon appeared but only served this week. It gives the cartoonist 14 days to pay up or face court, the agency says. | The demand was dated a week after the cartoon appeared but only served this week. It gives the cartoonist 14 days to pay up or face court, the agency says. |
In an interview with the BBC in September, Mr Shapiro said he drew the "shocking image" of Mr Zuma as a "metaphor for what he's doing to the justice system". | In an interview with the BBC in September, Mr Shapiro 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 said. | "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 said. |
"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." |
The shadow of corruption has been hanging over Mr Zuma for several years but his supporters have always maintained he is the victim of a political conspiracy. | The shadow of corruption has been hanging over Mr Zuma for several years but his supporters have always maintained he is the victim of a political conspiracy. |
In 2005 Mr Zuma 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 Mr Zuma 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. |
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. |
He was charged again last December shortly after winning a bitter campaign against then President Thabo Mbeki to become ANC leader. | He was charged again last December shortly after winning a bitter campaign against then President Thabo Mbeki to become ANC leader. |
When dismissing the corruption charges, the judge said there was evidence of political interference in the case - a statement which led President Mbeki to resign. | When dismissing the corruption charges, the judge said there was evidence of political interference in the case - a statement which led President Mbeki to resign. |