May 22nd, 2012
04:02 PM ET

Controversial Zuma painting defaced on-camera

The African National Congress wanted to go to court to force a South African gallery to remove a painting depicting President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed.

The ANC got its wish, but it was two vandals, not a judge, who granted it.

Local station eNews Channel was at the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg with cameras rolling when one man calmly approached the portrait, called "The Spear," and painted red crosses over the face and genitals.

Next came another man who smeared black paint over most of the image.

Watch the video above to see the vandals attack, see the violent arrest and hear the stunned reaction of the reporter as it all unfolds.

Opinions on "The Spear" are divided. CNN's "Open Mic" gave some South Africans a chance to vent. Watch below to hear what they're saying. Which side do you support?

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Filed under: Africa • Art • South Africa • Uncategorized • World
soundoff (10 Responses)
  1. Dgerb

    If president Obama had a son, he would look like the security guard.

    May 22, 2012 at 4:20 pm | Report abuse |
    • boooskooo

      Hehehje - I like white people. Nobody else.

      May 23, 2012 at 11:51 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Portland tony

    In America, most would see something similar as an affront to the office if it were a sitting President. After leaving office, it would be a question of taste. But we sure had our non flattering media portrayals of Mr(s) Bush and Obama over the years!

    May 22, 2012 at 4:34 pm | Report abuse |
  3. drh

    The heavy-handed treatment of the young black man, who was not resisting arrest in any way, and the middle-aged white man by the security guards shows the privilege of being white in the most socioeconomically unequal countries in the world.
    Disgusting to see this kind of racism by the security guards employed by this gallery.

    May 22, 2012 at 11:18 pm | Report abuse |
    • Aussie

      Disgasting! isn't it poor young fellow...and for the white man?... they almost offer him a cup of tea!!!Completly different treatments for the same crime.Totally unfair!!!

      May 24, 2012 at 12:27 am | Report abuse |
  4. thorgold

    I think that calling the vandals as using "crosses" is a blatant attempt at misdirection, here. Watching the video, anyone else would just say "They crossed out" or "X'd out" with paint (heck, it's even visible for the video thumbnail), but here it makes a deliberate attempt to portray them as religiously motivated with a subtle twist of words. Oh, they painted CROSSES? Must be religious fanatics! Way to go.

    May 23, 2012 at 8:10 am | Report abuse |
  5. Lela

    Good for you Mom!!!

    May 23, 2012 at 2:00 pm | Report abuse |
  6. boooskooo

    I think 99 percent of humans are coconuts.

    May 23, 2012 at 11:53 pm | Report abuse |
  7. boooskooo

    Cut the kwap folks, what does Ted think ????

    May 23, 2012 at 11:55 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Andrew

    Sad truth about South Africa – since Nelson Mandela the corruption in the ANC has just ski rocketed. Not only this we have a goverment that is more interested in covering up its tracks than serving the people. So over been labelled a racist and it is really sad that all white people in South Africa are viewed in this way. There are soo many white started charities out there in South Africa doing what the goverment should be doing – helping the poor in the townships. Instead we have a president that is more concerned about a painting in an art gallery that few people knew about until this week. What about the real issues like running a country ANC (African National Congress)?

    May 24, 2012 at 6:21 am | Report abuse |
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