Gangster State Explained

Gangster State: Unravelling Ace Magashule's Web of Capture
Author:Pieter-Louis Myburgh
Language:English
Country:South Africa
Genre:Non-fiction
Publisher:The Penguin Group (SA) (Pty) Ltd
Isbn:9781776093748
Subject:Ace Magashule, Politics of South Africa
Pub Date:March 2019
Pages:360

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.

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 former member of Stratcom, a disinformation unit in the apartheid-era security police, and spreading anti-ANC propaganda.[4] 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.[5]

Following the book's publication, supporters of Magashule destroyed copies of the book while disrupting an event to launch the book in Sandton City.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Book burning 'not in my name', says Ace Magashule . Grobler . Riaan . 2019-04-10 . News24 . en . 2019-04-10.
  2. Web site: Gangster State: Unravelling Ace Magashule's Web of Capture . 2019-04-10.
  3. Web site: How to capture a province: New book lays bare Ace Magashule's Free State fiefdom . Davis . Rebecca . 31 March 2019 . Daily Maverick . en . 2019-04-10.
  4. Web site: Stratcom labels for journalists are 'incredibly dangerous' - Sanef. Ngqakamba. Sesona. 10 April 2019. News24. 16 January 2022.
  5. Web site: ANC flip flops once again over statement in defence of Magashule . Madia . Tshidi . 2019-04-03 . News24 . en . 2019-04-10.
  6. Web site: Publisher of damning Magashule book: 'We will not be silenced' . Grobler . Riaan . 2019-04-10 . News24 . en . 2019-04-10.
  7. Web site: 'Thugs!' - ANC joins anger over Gangster State book launch protest . Pijoos . Iavan . 10 April 2019 . TimesLIVE . en-ZA . 2019-04-10.
  8. Web site: Cape Town's Gangster State launch back on as new venue found. VON OEHSEN. STENDER. 11 April 2019. TimesLIVE. en-ZA. 2019-04-11.