Alleged painting defacers to appear in court - Times LIVE

The two men allegedly defaced the portrait with red and black paint, obscuring the face and waist of the figure on Tuesday morning.

The painting by Cape Town artist Brett Murray depicted Zuma with his private parts exposed.

The men were released from the Rosebank police station late on Tuesday night on bail of R1 000 each.

A third person, who was arrested for allegedly trying to spraypaint the word "respect" on a wall of the Goodman Gallery, would appear with them. He was also released on bail of R1 000.

All three face charges of malicious damage to property.

Krish Naidoo, for Lowie Mabokela, 25, said his client was a taxi driver from Limpopo and had come to Johannesburg to see the portrait.

Mabokela allegedly smeared black paint over the portrait of Zuma at the Goodman Gallery on Tuesday morning.

"His family members are involved in art. He drove all the way from Limpopo to see the portrait for himself and that's his reason for being here," the lawyer said.

He said there was no connection between Mabokela and the second man, who is accused of painting a red cross over Zuma's face and genitals. His name has not been released by the police.

"It was spontaneous on both their parts. They just happened to be there at the same time," said the lawyer.

He said Mabokela had laid charges of assault against the security guard who apprehended him at the gallery.

"We've asked the police to consider arresting the security guard. We are considering taking civil action against the gallery for the assault he sustained."

The arrests came within an hour of the High Court in Johannesburg setting down an application by the ANC to have the painting removed from the gallery for hearing by a full Bench on Thursday morning.

The application had just been postponed when word spread of the defacing of the painting 'The Spear', which is part of Murray's exhibition 'Hail to the Thief II'.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the Goodman Gallery said it had temporarily closed its doors to the public.

Gallery owner Liza Essers said the move was prompted by numerous threats and the defacing.

"The extent of the rage has astonished me and upset me very much," she said.

"We have decided to do this as we feel that the Goodman Gallery, its staff, as well as public visitors are at risk."