South African President Jacob Zuma has given up a legal case against a local newspaper over a cartoon depicting him about to rape a female figure representing justice.
His office said it saw the cartoon, by the artist known as Zapiro, as an affront but wanted to avoid a precedent that could limit free speech.
The lawsuit over the cartoon was dropped along with all claims for an apology and damages. The case was due in court on Monday.
Zuma’s lawyers had been demanding damages of 5m rand ($578,000; £369,000) for the cartoon.
It was published in 2008 before he became president but the claim was only filed two years later.
Last week, Mr Zuma was reported to have reduced his claim to 100,000 rand, before withdrawing it altogether.
“After careful consideration and consultation with his legal team, President Zuma has taken a decision to withdraw his claim against the respondents, and pay a contribution to their costs,” his office said in a statement.
“The president… would like to avoid setting a legal precedent that may have the effect of limiting the public exercise of free speech, with the unforeseen consequences this may have on our media, public commentators and citizens,” it added.
The cartoon showed a woman, wearing a sash with the words “Justice System”, being pinned down by four figures.
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