Calls for media censorship
2008-09-10 20:05
Nelspruit - The South African National Civics Organisation (Sanco) in Mpumalanga has called for the reintroduction of media censorship following the publishing of a Zapiro cartoon in the Sunday Times on Sunday that shows ANC president Jacob Zuma about to rape justice.
Justice is depicted as a woman being held down by ANC alliance partners who have called for a stay of prosecution for Zuma, who is on trial for corruption.
"This newspaper is hell-bent to serve the opposition of the ANC by rubbishing comrade Jacob Zuma's name and portraying him as a rapist," said provincial treasurer of Sanco, Raymond Makamo.
"We are activists of a free press but when press freedom is abused to this extent that it works against the common good, measures should be taken to curb that."
Makamo called upon Zapiro, whose real name is Jonathan Shapiro, and the editor of the Sunday Times, Mondli Makhanya, to use their skills "for the good of society and the country".
"We want them to exercise the freedom they have in a responsible manner commensurate with the status and reputation the newspaper is known for," Makamo said.
He said Sanco believed that Zuma needed everyone's support following eight years of "persecution by state agents and their faceless master".
Judgement will be passed on Zuma on Friday in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, where he has applied to have his prosecution on corruption and money laundering charges declared unlawful.