Rape of Lady Justice cartoon controversy

The Rape of Lady Justice cartoon controversy occurred in response to a cartoon drawn by the cartoonist Zapiro and published in the South African newspaper the Sunday Times on 7 September 2008. The cartoon depicts future South African President Jacob Zuma unbuttoning his pants whilst four men representing key Zuma supporters within the African National Congress (ANC) led tripartite alliance hold down a woman representing Lady Justice indicating that Zuma was about to rape Lady Justice with the assistance and encouragement of the other four men depicted.[1]

Cartoon that started the controversy. Entitled the Rape of Lady Justice, the cartoon shows Jacob Zuma (far left) opening his pants whilst his political allies hold down a woman representing Lady Justice. The cartoon strongly implies that Zuma is about to rape Lady Justice with the assistance of his political allies. One of the four allies, Gwede Mantashe (with ANC displayed on his shirt), is telling Zuma to "Go for it, boss!"

The four men, from left to right, are Julius Malema (then leader of the African National Congress Youth League), Gwede Mantashe (a senior ANC leader), Blade Nzimande (general secretary of the South African Communist Party), and Zwelinzima Vavi (General Secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)). The cartoon depicts Mantashe encouraging Zuma by stating "Go for it, boss!"[1]

Political context

In March 2008 the director of National Prosecuting Authority announced that Zuma would face 18 charges of corruption, including more than 700 counts of fraud and money laundering.[2] The case appeared before Judge Nicholson on whether the case against Zuma could proceed. In the months leading up to the verdict Zuma's then political allies made numerous public threats and ad hominem attacks against the judiciary. Malema and Vavi stated that they would "kill for Zuma" if the case went ahead whilst Mantashe called the Constitutional Court judges counter-revolutionaries and stated that the anarchy would break out in South Africa. Nzimande stated that the trial would threaten South Africa's political stability.[1]

Prior to the publication of the cartoon Zuma had been controversially acquitted of allegedly raping Ntsukela Kuzwayo.

Judge Nicholson set aside the National Prosecuting Authority' case against Zuma stating that he could not rule out political interference in it.[3]

Aftermath

The cartoon was criticised for a number of different reasons. Some critics argued that the cartoon trivialised rape in country that is believed to have one of the highest incidences of the crime in the world. Others criticised the cartoon as promoting a South African stereotype that depicts black males as a sexual predators. Zuma's supporters argued that it was an assault on his personal dignity and was slanderous.[4][5] A formal complaint against the cartoon was lodged with the Human Rights Commission.[1]

Shortly after the cartoon's publication Zuma sued the cartoon's author, Zapiro, for R4 million due to the alleged damage it caused his reputation and an additional R1 million for injury to his dignity. Zuma reduced his claims against Zapiro to R100,000 and a public apology.[6] In 2012 Zuma withdrew his lawsuit against Zapiro.[6]

The cartoon was rated as one of the 15 Historic Cartoons That Changed The World by Buzzfeed in 2013[7] and one of the 5 most controversial works of art depicting Jacob Zuma by the Sunday Times.[8] Zapiro has stated that out of all the cartoons he has drawn in his career that this one is his favourite.[9]

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References
  1. Wills, Zapiro with Mike. "The back story to the most controversial cartoon in SA history". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  2. "Jacob Zuma: Former South African president faces corruption trial". BBC. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  3. "I stand by my judgment – judge who threw out Zuma corruption case". CityPress. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
  4. Hoorn, Imke Van (8 September 2008). "Zapiro in Zuma cartoon uproar". The M&G Online. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
  5. "Cartoonist defends right to satirize South African president". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
  6. Sapa, Glynnis Underhill, Verashni Pillay. "Zapiro cartoon: Zuma surrenders, drops lawsuit". The M&G Online. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  7. "15 Historic Cartoons That Changed The World". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  8. Andropoulos, Aula (16 February 2018). "IN PICTURES: 5 of the MOST controversial Jacob Zuma artworks". Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  9. Morotolo, Lerato. "Rape of Justice is still Zapiro's favourite". CityPress. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
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