COSATU condemns offensive painting

The Congress of South African Trade Unions condemns the display in Cape Town of another painting which is deeply offensive to President Jacob Zuma, the democratically elected president of South Africa.

The painting, which depicts Comrade Zuma with exposed genitals, is not only deeply offensive to the president personally, but to his family and all South Africans, regardless of their position. We are all entitled under our constitution to be treated with respect,

COSATU agrees with ANC spokesperson, Keith Khoza, that "as a person, as a father, as a husband, he deserves to be respected and is entitled to his privacy."

The federation repeats the call it made when a similar painting was displayed in Johannesburg for it to be immediately removed from public display.

 Statement issued by Patrick Craven, COSATU national spokesperson, August 29 2012

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