‘An insensitive white person’s creation’

2012-05-23 13:14

kalahari.com

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Cape Town – A man who admitted to defacing a controversial painting of President Jacob Zuma said on Wednesday he did it to “deracialise the painting”.

Barend la Grange, 58, told reporters at the Johannesburg Regional Court: “I did it to diffuse and deracialise the painting. We have better things to worry about.”

On Tuesday, La Grange was filmed making two large crosses with red paint over Zuma’s face and penis in the painting, titled The Spear.

He said that it felt right to deface “an insensitive creation by a white person”.

“It was my spoilt ballot paper.”

He said he did not know the other man, Lowie Mabokela, accused of smearing black paint over the work, and that he only met him after they were both arrested.

“Only Jesus can be naked on the cross. You can’t do that to President Zuma,” said La Grange.

The matter was postponed to June 28 for further investigation in the Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

La Grange and Mabokela face charges of malicious damage to property.

 Both men’s bail of R1 000 was extended.

The painting has caused a national outcry, with the ANC going to court in the hopes of having it removed from the Goodman Gallery and City Press newspaper’s website.

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‘An insensitive white person’s creation’