Plot to burn ‘Gangster State’ book ignites as bonfire poster surfaces

A plot to burn author Pieter-Louis Myburgh’s book titled Gangster State: Unravelling Ace Magashule’s Web of Capture, has emerged and a poster suggesting the date of arson is circulating on social media.

However, the poster can’t be traced to anyone in the ANC or individuals associated with it.

Comment: This is bone-chilling. A poster suggests an organised and funded campaign. The embers of fascism. pic.twitter.com/U2R48PDNqx

— Ferial Haffajee (@ferialhaffajee) April 10, 2019

The poster, which comes after some Ace Magashule supporters expressed their disdain for the book, invites people to take part in a bonfire at which copies of the book will be burnt on Monday, April 15, at 5pm at the Mangaung South dumping site – in ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule’s home province of the Free State.

The poster comes after a declaration made by the ANC Youth League Free State spokesperson Sello Pieterson, stating that the league regarded the book as nothing more than fabricated lies intended to cause panic within the ANC ahead of the May elections.

Speaking to eNCA on Wednesday morning, however, national ANC Youth League secretary-general Njabulo Nzuza said he had spoken to his Free State counterparts to prevail upon them not to burn the book. According to him, they agreed, and saw the logic that they were merely publicising the title and ensuring more sales.

Pieterson had earlier invited locals in the area to a session where the book, which he regards as “puke”, would be burnt. He told News24: “We (ANC) have arrived at this sober decision driven by our deepest sense of a need to maintain a clean environment free of garbage, such as this one produced by this Stratcom product.

“We wish to state it categorically that we are unapologetic about our support to the secretary-general of the ANC, Ace Magashule, who is a tried and tested product of the African National Congress, nurtured, grilled, and baptised in the traditions and values of our movement. We, therefore, do not need any endorsement from white monopoly capital agents regarding his struggle credentials. We know them and shall defend him.

“We, therefore, urge society to bring along as many copies of this puke as possible, as well as any material that reflects the barbaric past, such as the old apartheid flag, along to our fireplace,” Pietersen said.

Myburgh, in response to the threat, said the call was a sad indication that leaders endorsed and instigated such actions by people.

He urged those that opposed the book to challenge the allegations head-on, instead of instigating people to burn their copies. He relished the idea that the plot to burn his book meant more book sales, but continued to describe the current threats as sad and unfortunate.

Magashule, who has made legal threats against Myburgh recently, told eNCA that he would meet Myburgh in court where all would be exposed in the court of law. He maintains allegations made in the book are lies.

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