Zuma sues Zapiro

Jacob Zuma is suing political cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro (aka Zapiro) for R7 million (nearly one million US dollars) for “damage to his reputation and dignity”.

Funny thing is, his reputation is in the shitter after facing a major corruption trial that was later dismissed on a technicality.

The cartoon in question depicts Zuma preparing to rape the justice system with the help of his political allies, a reference to the country’s climate of corruption and Zuma being acquitted of rape in a separate case in 2006. Zuma is claiming to be a victim of a political conspiracy against him.

Mr Shapiro said he drew the “shocking image” of Mr. Zuma as a “metaphor for what he’s doing to the justice system”. “I am a columnist, a visual columnist. I comment on what you do and what you say. And you are a public figure. You are the one with the power, not me.” “And you just turn it on its head and act the victim.”

I’m not going to comment on the guilt or innocence of Zuma, but paying lipservice to freedom of speech and then suing a political cartoonist for damage to your reputation is a low move indeed. Given the low track record of politicians in general, the duty of a political cartoonist is to give them a swift kick in the nuts every now and then. They can only reflect opinions and ideas that already exist in public consciousness, and attempt to uncover the TRUTH.

Kudos to Zapiro for courageously taking on this politician, and good luck with the case. Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and Zuma appears to be billowing.