Pair charged after gallery drama

Security guards stand outside the Goodman Gallery, where the controversial portrait of President Jacob Zuma was defaced on.

Security guards stand outside the Goodman Gallery, where the controversial portrait of President Jacob Zuma was defaced on.

Published May 22, 2012

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Johannesburg - The two men arrested for allegedly defacing a controversial painting of President Jacob Zuma in a Johannesburg gallery were released on Tuesday night, police said.

They were released on bail of R1 000 each and would appear in the Hillbrow Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, said national police spokesperson Colonel Vish Naidoo.

He said a third person arrested later in the day for allegedly trying to spraypaint the word “respect” on a wall of the Goodman Gallery was also released on R1 000 bail and would appear in court with the others.

All three were charged with malicious damage to property, said Naidoo.

The painting by Cape Town artist Brett Murray depicted Zuma with his private parts exposed.

The two men allegedly defaced the portrait with red and black paint, obscuring the face and waist of the figure on Tuesday morning.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the Goodman Gallery said it had temporarily closed its doors to the public.

Gallery owner Liza Essers said the move was prompted by numerous threats and the defacing.

“The extent of the rage has astonished me and upset me very much,” she said.

“We have decided to do this as we feel that the Goodman Gallery, its staff, as well as public visitors, are at risk.” - Sapa

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