# Zuma suing media for R63m

Johannesburg - "PW Botha couldn't get it right, so good luck to Jacob Zuma with his attempt to shut up Zapiro," said Star editor Moegsien Williams on Tuesday, reacting to the R20m defamation claim instituted by former deputy president Jacob Zuma against the newspaper.

The cartoons by renowned cartoonist Zapiro, who draws them for this daily newspaper, were responsible for R15m of the claim against the Star.

Zuma claims a further R47m from several other newspapers and 94.7 Highveld Stereo.

It is the biggest claim by an individual for defamation so far in South Africa's legal history.

Zapiro said he also wished Zuma luck with his attempt to make him pipe down.

'Did all these things to himself'

"I'm not in the least worried about this. It's a trick by Zuma and an attempt to intimidate us, and that's the last thing we must allow to happen.

"Zuma says his reputation was harmed - my first reaction is: 'What reputation?'

"He did all these things to himself. His remarks about Aids and women came out in court and were documented - I didn't make them up."

Williams said they would inform Zuma's legal team that such a claim was not justified and that they rejected it.

He added that these claims were an attempt by Zuma to polish his public image.

"He's had a very negative image in the media recently, but we won't fall for this bait (claim).

"We'll keep on covering him and his actions critically in the newspaper, particularly because he has his eye on the presidency."

Williams said it would be difficult to silence Zapiro's voice and referred to a previous occasion when former president PW Botha also tried, but failed.

The Sunday Times confirmed they also had received demands on Tuesday, but that the amount mentioned in these now totalled R10m.

The "office of Jacob Zuma" said in a press release on Monday that R6m would be claimed from the Sunday Times for two articles on opinions.

Editor Mondi Makhanya was not available for comment.

Highveld Stereo to contest claim

Tim du Plessis, editor of Rapport from whom R10m is being claimed, said the matter was "in the hands of our legal representative".

Primedia (owner of Highveld Stereo) manager Terry Volkwyn said they would contest the claim.

Professor Lizette Rabe, head of the journalism department at Stellenbosch University, said that public figures who were newsmakers, especially the "super prominent"; such as the former deputy-president, would not only be reported on, but also commented on.

With acknowledgement to Katrien Smit and News24.