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ANC and Goodman Gallery officials had “consultations” on the eve of a march to protest against a painting depicting President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

“We are not in a position to deal with details now,” African National Congress spokesman Jackson Mthembu told SABC radio news.

“All we are prepared to say is, yes, indeed there have been consultations between the ANC and the Goodman Gallery last night and we are quite happy with the outcome of those consultations.”

A strong police presence was expected outside the gallery in Tuesday. The march was organised to “advance the need for unity as a nation and to register a need for common and acceptable values”, Mthembu said earlier.

“At the end of the march, the alliance will make important announcements following extensive interaction with all parties involved,” he said.

The protest is against the “The Spear”, a painting by Brett Murray, which was defaced last Tuesday. It was part of Murray’s “Hail to the Thief II” exhibition on show at the gallery.

The march was expected to start from Zoo Lake park at 10am and proceed down Jan Smuts Avenue. About 15,000 protesters were expected, Johannesburg metro police spokesman Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said. – Sapa