UPDATE: ANC condemns interruption of the Gangster State book launch in Sandton
SANDTON – The author was forced to leave through a back door.
Chaos erupted at the launch of Pieter-Louis Myburgh’s book Gangster State at Sandton City when a large group of protestors disrupted the launch on 9 April.
Myburgh, whose book focuses on African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Ace Magashule, was forced to flee the book launch after a two-hour disruption.
Protesters initially began shouting ‘Ace’ to disrupt the discussion between Myburgh and City Press editor, Mondli Makhanya. However, it was not long before protesters began singing and dancing, forcing the book launch to be brought to a complete halt. For some time Myburgh continued to sign books and talk to people but was eventually forced to leave out a back door.
The ANC, among others, has slammed the disruption of the launch. Acting spokesperson said, “The ANC condemns the disruption and the call to burn books in the strongest possible terms. We wish to emphasise that those who disrupted the launch did not do so in the name of the ANC nor on behalf of the ANC secretary general [Magashule].”
We're waking up to a different country this morning. Something awful happened last night. Prompt and decisive action, not words, is required. In a word, leadership #GangsterState
— Barney Mthombothi (@mthombothi) April 10, 2019
A leader of the protest said they were there to discredit the claims made in the book and will stand by Magashule.
Our journalist Laura Pisanello was at Exclusive Books in Sandton City, follow her tweets here
Pages of the book Gangster State were torn out and thrown on the ground by the protesters at the event.
Exclusive Books CEO Grattan Kirk said they had decided not to continue with the launch. Police arrived and asked people to leave the store, however, this did not immediately stop protesters from singing outside of the store.
Myburgh has left the store but many protestors continue to shout at him, saying that the book is propaganda #GangsterStateBookLaunch @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) April 9, 2019
This is a developing story.
Pieter-Louis Myburgh's Gangster State book launch at Sandton City has been interrupted by a group of protestors #GangsterStateBookLaunch @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) April 9, 2019
Protesters initially chanted 'Ace' during the discussion but have now brought the launch to a halt with their signing and clapping #GangsterStateBookLaunch @Sandton_News pic.twitter.com/b5IBT5iTXL
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) April 9, 2019
One person has torn pages from the book and threw them into the crowd #GangsterStateBookLaunch @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) April 9, 2019
Many of the protesters are in high spirits as they continue to dance, sing and drink wine provided for the book launch #GangsterStateBookLaunch @Sandton_News pic.twitter.com/zFPkYpYOJj
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) April 9, 2019
Security at the event was unable to remove the group.
Security are present however they have not been able to disperse the crowd #GangsterStateBookLaunch @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) April 9, 2019
Pages of the book lay strewn across the floor of the Exclusive Books in Sandton City #GangsterStateBookLaunch @Sandton_News pic.twitter.com/yaySmtNHps
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) April 9, 2019
Private security have put on protective gear while they try to keep the protesters at the front of the store #GangsterStateBookLaunch @Sandton_News pic.twitter.com/jNTQeKOENq
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) April 9, 2019
