CAPE TIMES: sapa: A magistrate lost patience with the police today in a court case arising from the defacing of a controversial painting of President Jacob Zuma.

Johan Engelbrecht said the police had one last chance to complete their investigation, or the matter would be struck from the roll.

"This situation has reached alarming proportions," he said at the appearance of the two accused in the Hillbrow Magistrate's Court.

"I have become tired of complaining about the SA Police Service and their conduct on a daily basis."

Barend la Grange and Louis Mabokela are accused of defacing artist Brett Murray's painting "The Spear" -- an acrylic depicting President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed. It was part of Murray's Hail to the Thief II exhibition at the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg.

The ruling African National Congress was alerted to the painting after an article appeared in City Press newspaper. The gallery refused its demand that the painting be removed.Read more