News / Africa
Zuma portrait, 'Chuck Norris' security guard arrested
23 May 2012 at 12:47hrs | Views
Johannesburg - A security guard who arrested a man who allegedly defaced a controversial painting of President Jacob Zuma at a Johannesburg gallery has been taken into custody.
It has since come to light that the guard is not a foreigner as some ANC activists had speculated. Most ANC activist had a feeling that the security guard might be a foreigner considering his eloquence in his English language. The ANC has since condemned the overzealous behaviour of the security guard.
Paul Molesiwa, 36, was granted R1 000 bail by the Hillbrow Magistrate's Court, police spokesperson Colonel Vishnu Naidoo said.
The case was postponed to May 28.
The guard, wearing a bullet-proof vest was filmed choking and head-butting Lowie Mabokela onto the floor after he had allegedly defaced The Spear with black paint in the Goodman Gallery. Later there was a showdown with wrestling similar to e.tv's WWE.
Mavokele was lifted up like a bag of potatoes and thrown on to the cold floor of the gallery in front of flashing cameras and reporters.
After the incident the white man was called politely aside by the security guards ... but Mavokele was not that lucky.
e-News news anchor Imna Rappetti, who was on the scene, walked up to the guard and pointed at the white man, asking why he was not attacking him too. The guard ignored her and instead continued manhandling Mavokele.
The white man was later gently handcuffed, and both men were taken to the Rosebank police station, where they were charged with malicious damage to property.
Naidoo said a charge of assault had been laid by Mabokela on Tuesday night.
Outrage has greeted the treatment of Mabokela.
Further details of the arrest and court appearance for the guard were not immediately known.
The gallery stayed closed on Wednesday.
The ANC said that while it could not condone any action which was not legal, it equally did not condone the assault of a suspect who was black.
"It is very contrasting and concerning that another suspect, who happens to be a white South African, was not assaulted but was treated with dignity as he was arrested," the party said in a statement.
"Perhaps it is this type of behaviour on the part of Goodman Gallery and its security that might need to be further explained."
The party said the indecency, disrespect and indignity characteristic of the painting had the potential to reverse the healing of wounds inflicted by apartheid and colonialism.
A third man, George Moyo, has also appeared in court on a charge of malicious damage to property after allegedly trying to spray paint the word "respect" on a wall outside the gallery.
All three were released on bail after appearing in the Hillbrow Magistrate's Court.
It has since come to light that the guard is not a foreigner as some ANC activists had speculated. Most ANC activist had a feeling that the security guard might be a foreigner considering his eloquence in his English language. The ANC has since condemned the overzealous behaviour of the security guard.
Paul Molesiwa, 36, was granted R1 000 bail by the Hillbrow Magistrate's Court, police spokesperson Colonel Vishnu Naidoo said.
The case was postponed to May 28.
The guard, wearing a bullet-proof vest was filmed choking and head-butting Lowie Mabokela onto the floor after he had allegedly defaced The Spear with black paint in the Goodman Gallery. Later there was a showdown with wrestling similar to e.tv's WWE.
Mavokele was lifted up like a bag of potatoes and thrown on to the cold floor of the gallery in front of flashing cameras and reporters.
After the incident the white man was called politely aside by the security guards ... but Mavokele was not that lucky.
e-News news anchor Imna Rappetti, who was on the scene, walked up to the guard and pointed at the white man, asking why he was not attacking him too. The guard ignored her and instead continued manhandling Mavokele.
The white man was later gently handcuffed, and both men were taken to the Rosebank police station, where they were charged with malicious damage to property.
Naidoo said a charge of assault had been laid by Mabokela on Tuesday night.
Outrage has greeted the treatment of Mabokela.
Further details of the arrest and court appearance for the guard were not immediately known.
The gallery stayed closed on Wednesday.
The ANC said that while it could not condone any action which was not legal, it equally did not condone the assault of a suspect who was black.
"It is very contrasting and concerning that another suspect, who happens to be a white South African, was not assaulted but was treated with dignity as he was arrested," the party said in a statement.
"Perhaps it is this type of behaviour on the part of Goodman Gallery and its security that might need to be further explained."
The party said the indecency, disrespect and indignity characteristic of the painting had the potential to reverse the healing of wounds inflicted by apartheid and colonialism.
A third man, George Moyo, has also appeared in court on a charge of malicious damage to property after allegedly trying to spray paint the word "respect" on a wall outside the gallery.
All three were released on bail after appearing in the Hillbrow Magistrate's Court.
Source - Byo24News
