Wearing t-shirts proclaiming: "President Zuma has the right to human dignity and privacy" in the same red and black as the Brett Murray painting the ANC wants removed, his supporters sang songs and ululated in Kruis Street opposite the court.

Glossy posters with the ANC logo saying "We say no! To artistic expression" were held aloft as a man dressed in military camouflage led the group in song and chanting.

A large ANC branded stage backed into Pritchard Street opposite court and traffic was diverted for the application by Zuma and the ANC.

They want the Goodman gallery, which is exhibiting the painting which shows Zuma's genitals, to remove it because it violates his and the party's right to dignity. They also want City Press to remove images of the painting from its website.

Both the the gallery and City Press have refused.