The ANC has lashed out at a crude depiction of president Jacob Zuma by artist Brett Murray who's work is on show at the Goodman gallery in Johannesburg.
The artwork depicts the president in a Lenin-like pose with his genitals hanging out.
The ANC said it had instructed its lawyers to approach the courts to force the gallery to remove the portrait, for City Press to remove the photo from its website, and for the destruction of all printed promotional material.
Meanwhile, Cosatu's national spokesperson Patrick Craven says they will support the ANC with any legal action they take.
He says the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to dignity.
"In this particular case it is not only the individual who is clearly being denied that constitutional right but because of his position as the democratically elected president of the country it is disrespectful to all of us and a country as a whole, so we fully support the ANC's demand that the painting should be withdrawn and we will support any legal action they take to enforce that" Craven said
