INLSA
Jonathan Shapiro, aka Zapiro, holds up a copy of his new book in his Vredehoek studio yesterday after President Jacob Zuma dropped his defamation case against him. Picture: JEFFREY ABRAHAMS
Jason Felix and Sapa
Jonathan Shapiro, aka Zapiro, celebrated his 54th birthday this weekend with a surprise gift from President Jacob Zuma, who, after a protracted four-year battle, dropped all claims for damages against the award-winning cartoonist.
The case had been due to be heard in the South Gauteng High Court today.
Instead, all charges were dropped and Zuma also agreed to pay half of the legal fees.
Speaking at his Vredehoek home yesterday, Shapiro said that Zuma’s 11th-hour decision to drop the case against was a “great relief”.
Although he had mixed feelings because he had been “pumped up” for the case, “I feel relieved because in the last few weeks the case became a different ball game”.
Shapiro and the Sunday Times’ lawyers had been making final preparations on Friday, but later that night Zapiro received the “good” news.
“It was amazing, the best birthday present I ever got and better than spending the night with legal documents,” said Shapiro, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday.
In December 2008, Zuma started a lawsuit against the newspaper, its editor, publisher Avusa Media and Shapiro. Zuma initially wanted R5 million in compensation – R1m for injury to his dignity and R4m in damages to his reputation.
Last week, Zuma’s legal team dropped his claim to R100 000.
The cartoon depicted Zuma loosening his trousers while Lady Justice was held down by former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, SA Communist Party general secretary Blade Nzimande and ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, all saying: “Go for it, boss.”
Zuma was acquitted of a rape charge in 2006.
A statement by the Presidency said the cartoon was “hurtful and defamatory”, as the respondents had admitted in papers submitted to the High Court in Johannesburg.
“This candid admission, whilst sought to be justified on other grounds, at least reflects an appreciation of the hurt and harm that such depiction brought about,” said the statement. The following considerations had informed Zuma’s decision to withdraw his claim, and pay a contribution to the respondents’ costs:
l Zuma wanted to avoid “setting a legal precedent” that may limit freedom of speech;
l Matters relating to dignity and the public standing of individuals could not be mediated exclusively though the courts; and
l In light of the recent economic and political unrest, Zuma called on all South Africans to work together to “find lasting solutions to the challenges that faces the nation”.
Dario Mario, the lawyer who represented the newspaper, said: “President Zuma did the right thing in withdrawing the case. This bodes very well for media freedom.
“It is to be hoped that he swiftly withdraws his other 12 live cases against the media. This will send out an important signal that the president respects the right of the media to criticise his conduct.”
