South Africa: Ombud Says No to Zapiro's 'White Genocide' Cartoon

Ruling Questions Press Council's Approach to Satire

Zapiro's cartoon, "The Boys Who Cried Wolf," was published on February 15 by Daily Maverick. It features three images. The first shows caricatures of AfriForum's Kallie Kriel and Solidarity's Dirk Hermann. The second depicts them braaiing while shouting "Wolf!" next to a pool. A black domestic worker serves them cocktails. The third image shows a wolf with a Trump-like hairstyle biting a map of South Africa, saying, "You called!"

Solidarity was offended by the phrases "Took our Land" and "White Genocide." AfriForum objected only to "White Genocide." Both organizations filed separate complaints with the Press Council. They did not complain about the phrases "ANC Govt Killed Afrikaans" or "No Jobs for Whites."

In a recent ruling, the Deputy Press Ombud upheld their complaints. He cited an alleged breach of clause 1.1 of the Press Code. This clause requires media to report news truthfully and fairly. It also mandates presenting news in context without distortion or exaggeration.

Daily Maverick’s response led the Deputy Ombud to consider clause 7.2 as well. This clause protects extreme comments if they are made without malice and are in public interest. The main issue was whether “white genocide” could be attributed to the complainants.

Both men denied using that phrase or endorsing it in any way. Earlier rulings found that AfriForum had not promoted the idea of white genocide.

However, in a previous case against Mail & Guardian, the former Press Ombud noted that AfriForum believes white Afrikaner farmers face targeted killings. They also claim government land redistribution is an attack on white people.

Daily Maverick argued that although complainants deny using “white genocide,” their actions suggest otherwise. They stated satire often exaggerates reality to provoke thought.

The Deputy Ombud disagreed, stating “white genocide” cannot be fairly attributed to them. He ruled this breached Clause 1.1 of the Press Code.

Due to this breach, he said Daily Maverick lost protection under Clause 7.2 for comment defense as it did not account for all material facts accurately.

The Deputy Ombud directed Daily Maverick to retract the cartoon and publish an apology explaining why.

Kriel later posted on X about the ruling, claiming Daily Maverick published lies about AfriForum and was found guilty by the Press Ombud.

Kriel's post is misleading; there was no finding of guilt from the Deputy Ombud. His role was simply to assess breaches of the Press Code.

Moreover, Zapiro’s name received little attention in Kriel’s post despite being central to this issue.

This focus on Daily Maverick seems intentional amid broader conflicts with “anti-AfriForum activists posing as journalists.”

GroundUp publishes an Ombud Watcher column for public awareness regarding Press Council rulings written by a legal practitioner.