Cosatu demands an apology from Sunday Times

By Sasha Forbes
10 September 2008


Cosatu has demanded an apology from the Sunday Times, for publishing Zapiro’s controversial cartoon this past Sunday. Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven said it’s quite clear that Jacob Zuma nor Cosatu or any of its allies has at any point has been threatening the judiciary as an institution or as an independent. He says this is an idea that has been put out by the media; therefore Cosatu believes the basis of the cartoon is based on a false premise.

Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven says “Cosatu objects on a number of grounds, first of all it we think it clearly is defamatory of the ANC president Jacob Zuma, who was found not guilty when charged with rape and yet he is clearly identified in this cartoon as somebody who is a rapist.”

The cartoon also uses the figure of a woman who represents the Justice System, who is about to be raped. Cosatu feels that it is unacceptable given the high level of violence against women in this country. Craven says that “it is wrong to use that to make a political point.”

“So we are saying that the Sunday Times must apologise and if they don’t then we will consider what further action we may take.”