South Africa: Review board OKs painting that showed genitals of South Africa's president

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa's Film and Publication Board declassifies a painting that showed the genitals of the country's president.

The board's spokesman, Prince Mlimandlela Ndamase, said Wednesday that artist Brett Murray's "The Spear" — which outraged supporters of President Jacob Zuma when it was displayed early this year at Johannesburg's Goodman Gallery — is no longer deemed an offense to public taste.

The painting was condemned by the ruling ANC and Zuma himself said in court documents that the artwork ridiculed him and undermined his constitutional right to dignity. But the gallery and the artist countered that freedom of expression was at stake, too.

The painting was later taken down after two men defaced it with paint, claiming they were acting to defend Zuma.