Gangster State

Gangster State: Unravelling Ace Magashule's Web of Capture (2019) is a book by Pieter-Louis Myburgh, a South African investigative journalist. The book is an account of Ace Magashule's rise to power as premier of the Free State and his impact on both the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African government.

Gangster State: Unravelling Ace Magashule's Web of Capture
AuthorPieter-Louis Myburgh
CountrySouth Africa
LanguageEnglish
SubjectAce Magashule, Politics of South Africa
GenreNon-fiction
PublisherThe Penguin Group (SA) (Pty) Ltd
Publication date
March 2019
Pages360
ISBN9781776093748

Synopsis

The book explores Magashule's relationship with the controversial Gupta family and alleges that he was responsible for a number of corrupt activities. It explores the methods used to maintain his premiership and elevate him to the post of secretary-general of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party. It also reveals that he was about to be arrested by the Scorpions prior to their disbanding in 2009.[1][2]

Reception

The Daily Maverick described the likely impact of the book and the corruption case it makes against Magashule as detonating "like a hand-grenade" in South African politics.[3]

The ANC made a number of statements regarding the book. It initially criticized the book and accused Myburgh of being a member of Stratcom and spreading anti-ANC propaganda. Two days later the ANC stated that it would only be making a statement on the book after following "due processes" as the ANC secretary-general “had no authority to release a statement” on behalf of the ANC on issues that affected him personally.[4]

Following the book's publication, supporters of Magashule destroyed copies of the book while disrupting an event to launch the book in Sandton City.[5] Free State ANC Youth League (ANCYL) spokesperson Sello Pietersen went on to state that they would organize a book burning event in Mangaung to destroy copies of the book. Magashule denied any role in the disruption whilst the ANC condemned the book burning event stating that it undermined freedom of expression.[1][6] Due to security concerns following the Sandton City disruption, the Cape Town book launch had to be moved to an alternative location, the offices of CapeTalk.[7]

The public controversy the disruptions caused has led to speculation that it might create a Streisand effect thereby inadvertently increasing sales of the book.[8]

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References
  1. Grobler, Riaan (2019-04-10). "Book burning 'not in my name', says Ace Magashule". News24. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  2. "Gangster State: Unravelling Ace Magashule's Web of Capture". Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  3. Davis, Rebecca (31 March 2019). "How to capture a province: New book lays bare Ace Magashule's Free State fiefdom". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  4. Madia, Tshidi (2019-04-03). "ANC flip flops once again over statement in defence of Magashule". News24. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  5. Grobler, Riaan (2019-04-10). "Publisher of damning Magashule book: 'We will not be silenced'". News24. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  6. Pijoos, Iavan (10 April 2019). "'Thugs!' - ANC joins anger over Gangster State book launch protest". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  7. VON OEHSEN, STENDER (11 April 2019). "Cape Town's Gangster State launch back on as new venue found". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
  8. Bhengu, Cebelihle (10 April 2019). "SA on Gangster State book launch interruption: 'Best sales tactic ever'". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
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