Spear spraypaint accused off the hook

Members of the press photograph the defaced portrait of President Jacob Zuma at the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg.

Members of the press photograph the defaced portrait of President Jacob Zuma at the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg.

Published Jul 5, 2012

Share

Charges are being withdrawn against a man accused of trying to spraypaint the word “respect” on the wall of the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg, the Hillbrow Magistrate's Court heard on Thursday.

“We are waiting for withdrawal statements,” Magistrate Jai Persutam said.

These papers were expected to be ready at George Moyo's next court appearance on July 19. His R1 000 bail was extended.

Moyo was arrested in May after allegedly spraypainting the letters “res” on an outside wall of the gallery. He was apparently trying to write the word “respect”.

Outside court on Thursday, Moyo said he welcomed the prospect of the charges being dropped.

“If asked to do it (spraypaint the Goodman Gallery's wall) again, I would do it”, Moyo said.

He was one of four people arrested in connection with the gallery's display of a painting depicting President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed.

Two men accused of defacing the painting The Spear, by Brett Murray, were also arrested, as was a security guard, who allegedly assaulted one of the men while detaining him. - Sapa

Related Topics: