Advocate Gcina Malindi was expected to return to court to continue argument over whether artist Brett Murray's painting should be banned, after breaking down in court on Thursday.
“He's fine. He will be back to proceed,” said Malindi's instructing attorney, Titus Mchunu.
After a gruelling morning of questioning in the High Court in Johannesburg on why there was a racial overtone to the painting, featuring genitals on a likeness of President Jacob Zuma, and whether the image could actually be banned given its wide distribution on the internet, witnesses said they saw Malindi slump in his chair and cry.
Judge Neels Claassen immediately adjourned, and word was later sent to the court that the case would resume at 2pm.
The ANC, Zuma, and Zuma's children made an urgent application to have the painting “The Spear” removed before it was defaced on Tuesday. They also want City Press to remove images of it from its website.
They argue it infringes Zuma's dignity as an individual and as president of the ANC and the country. City Press has refused to remove the painting, citing freedom of expression. – Sapa