I'll get physical, says Zuma jr

I'll get physical, says Zuma jr

 28 October, 2015 00:29

"My message to Ayanda Mabulu is that President JG Zuma is a parent and one is prepared to even defend him physically if need be," Zuma said. File photo

President Jacob Zuma's son, Edward, is prepared to "physically" defend his father if needs be.

"My message to Ayanda Mabulu is that President JG Zuma is a parent and one is prepared to even defend him physically if need be," Zuma said.

He made this comment despite stating: "We need to work together and be tolerant. We must remember that the constitution protects all persons."

Zuma said his statement was issued "following calls and messages from family members, relatives, friends and ordinary members of society".

"Over the past three years, as [a] family we have endured humiliation that cannot be described as a result of pornographic material aimed at tarnishing the image of my father and the president of the ANC and the Republic of South Africa, JG Zuma."

The president was previously depicted with his genitals exposed in a painting called The Spear.

"It is true that this country is facing many challenges but to say our father is raping and molesting the country is not only an insult to us as [a] family but to the whole country," Zuma said.

He said he was "encouraged by the artists who have distanced themselves from the pornography of Ayanda Mabulu".

He added: "Our father has never used force to silence his critics.

"Instead, he has worked very hard over the years for the normalisation of political discourse at all levels of leadership.

"Those who have interacted with him over the years will recall how he brought warring political parties together, especially in KwaZulu-Natal."

The president's spokesman, Bongani Majola, said he was unaware of the existence of Edward's letter.

Edward Zuma's statement comes just a day ahead of an ANC Women's League march in the name of protecting the president.

The league said Zuma had been denigrated by the image, and that an attack on Zuma should be regarded as an attack on the party he led
.