South Africa's unmatched political cartoonist Zapiro has caused quite a stir, infuriating the Jacob Zuma wing of the African National Congress over this controversial cartoon depicting various wings of the ANC holding down the justice system, depicted as a woman struggling to break free, as Jacob Zuma prepares to, well, rape her.
[Zapiro, Sunday Times, 7 September 2008]
Invoking Zuma's legal troubles, including his past rape charges, as well as the allegations that Zuma and his supporters are fighting hard to undermine the country's legal system, the cartoon is unquestionably edgy. It represents a blistering, no-holds-barred commentary on the ANC president. I can certainly see the argument that the cartoon crosses the boundaries of taste.
But I cannot accept that the cartoon in and of itself is actionable (Zuma is considering pursuing legal action), that Zapiro owes COSATU or anyone else depicted in the cartoon an apology, or that Zapiro's freedom to publish, to agitate, to accuse, or to criticize ought to be curtailed. Media freedom is sacrosanct in free societies, and ought to be especially cherished in South Africa where the apartheid government notoriously cracked down on and censored the media. By all means, respond to Zapiro. Argue with him. Disagree. Defend Zuma and his allies. But do not threaten to crack down on Zapiro or the media in which he publishes. South Africans, of all people, know better.