V&A Gangster State

V&A Waterfront, Cape Town – Photo: Flickr / Susie

Update: Gangster State book launch moved from V&A amid “security concerns”

The controversial book about Ace Magashule is causing a security headache for staff at the V&A Waterfront. Gangster State may have its launch halted.

V&A Gangster State

V&A Waterfront, Cape Town – Photo: Flickr / Susie

Update: Since this story was published, it has been confirmed that the book launch will now go ahead at Cape Talk studios in Green Point, rather than at the V&A as first planned. Fears that the event could be disrupted by protesters have pushed security staff into make this decision.

The Cape Town book launch of Gangster State: Unravelling Ace Magashule’s Web of Capture is in serious doubt on Thursday, as officials at the V&A Waterfront are assessing potential security concerns over the event.

Gangster State launch at the V&A Waterfront

Earlier this week, we saw the Sandton launch disrupted by chaotic protests from pro-Ace Magashule factions of the ANC. Demonstrators tore pages from books and trashed the store which was hosting author Pieter-Louis Myburgh. Even the ANC Youth League planned a “book burning”, but senior ranks of the party have distanced themselves from this.

In fact, Magashule himself has ordered his followers not to cause any more trouble at these events, stating that South Africans “cannot undermine free speech” even if they disagree with it. Earlier on Thursday, Myburgh was upset to learn that cancellation may have been an option on the table.

Exclusive Books deny any “cancellation” talk

However, despite his claims, Exclusive Books told us that no decision had been made on whether the event would get the green light or not. Things are still very much up in the air, and their head office promised to make a final decision “at some point this afternoon”.

Interestingly enough, both V&A and Exclusive Books representatives are trying to distance themselves from the potential of a cancellation. It seems that the preferred outcome to avoid another wave of protests would be a change of venue, or even a postponement:

“Please note that the statement [made by Pieter-Louis Myburgh] is incorrect. Due to security concerns, we were in the process of discussing the possibility of either a postponement or change of venue for the Gangster State book launch, but no cancellation was discussed and no official decision has been made.”

Exclusive Books

Myburgh will also be appearing at The Book Lounge on Roeland Street, from 15:00 on Thursday afternoon.