Johannesburg ( CNN ) -- South Africa 's ruling African National Congress said Wednesday the party would drop the lawsuit it filed over a portrait of President Jacob Zuma that shows his genitals . The announcement was made by ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu at Johannesburg 's Goodman Gallery , where the controversial portrait was initially displayed . The work by artist Brett Murray was removed from public show after it was defaced by protesters last week amid a storm of protests and condemnation , the South African Broadcasting Corporation said . Called `` The Spear , '' it is reminiscent of Soviet-era propaganda posters . Red on one half and black on the other , the painting portrays Zuma in a proud stance with his genitals prominently exposed . Zuma 's supporters in the ANC say the portrait is insulting and call it an attack on both the president and his party . Mthembu 's announcement that the party was dropping its legal action came a day after its supporters took part in a protest march to the gallery . Speaking alongside Goodman Gallery director Liza Essers , Mthembu expressed a wish for unity . A statement on the ANC website Wednesday said : `` The pain and the hurt of the past two weeks caused by the Spear portrait as expressed above is now fully appreciated by the Goodman Gallery and the Artist , Brett Murray . `` Both say , 'it was never the Goodman Gallery 's nor Brett Murray 's intention to hurt anyone or harm their dignity , the Gallery and Murray regrets the pain that the display of the painting has caused . ' `` Lessons should be learned from the furor , the statement said , adding that the gallery , artist and all South Africans should commit themselves to working for `` a South Africa that is united in its diverse cultures '' and respects all individuals ' rights . The Sunday newspaper City Press removed an image of the portrait from its website after the ANC threatened a boycott , but it complained Monday that the ANC still wants the paper to apologize for running it in the first place . The Democratic Alliance , the ANC 's official opposition , said The Spear `` was brilliant as a work of political satire , which is also why it became an instant icon . '' Calls for the painting 's censorship , the party said , indicate a dangerous move away from the right to free speech . If he felt insulted , Zuma should have sued the artist rather than calling for the painting 's removal , the Democratic Alliance said . CNN 's Kim Norgaard contributed to this report .
Brett Murray 's painting , called `` The Spear , '' was displayed at a Johannesburg gallery . Portrait of President Jacob Zuma was removed from public show after protesters defaced it . South Africa 's ruling ANC says the artwork offends the president 's dignity . The controversy over the portrait has raised questions about freedom of speech .