Cape Town – A heated exchange between the ANC’s Advocate Gcina Malindi and Judge Neels Claassen at the South Gauteng High Court on Thursday led to the lawyer breaking down in tears.

Claassen had earlier asked him if the ANC would still be making a submission to court if FW de Klerk’s face was used in the painting.

Malindi began speaking about the country’s transition from apartheid to a democracy and apparently became rather emotional, put his hands to his chest and started sobbing.

The lawyer was said to be so emotional that even opposing counsel comforted him.

Malindi’s junior advocate might take over from him.

The ANC is applying to have Brett Murray’s painting The Spear, which depicts President Jacob Zuma with his penis showing, removed from City Press’s website and from display at the Goodman Gallery. 

Earlier, Malindi conceded that dignity and privacy rights do not apply to Zuma’s office as president of the country or the ANC.– News24