JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – NOVEMBER 08, 2017: The launch of investigative journalist Jacques Pauw’s book, ‘The President’s Keepers’ at Hyde Park shopping centre on November 08, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The book, which has been widely shared on social media, investigates damning allegations against President Jacob Zuma and the capture of state owned entities. (Photo by Gallo Images / Alet Pretorius)
Eskom claimed responsibility, BLF says it was “the black god”.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – NOVEMBER 08, 2017: The launch of investigative journalist Jacques Pauw’s book, ‘The President’s Keepers’ at Hyde Park shopping centre on November 08, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The book, which has been widely shared on social media, investigates damning allegations against President Jacob Zuma and the capture of state owned entities. (Photo by Gallo Images / Alet Pretorius)
The President’s Keepers continues to dominate headlines. The book, written by veteran investigative journalist Jacques Pauw, has caused much consternation. From threats of legal action to suggestions that the book needs to be recalled… it’s certainly ruffled feathers.
Also read: What are the 10 most shocking claims from The President’s Keepers?
On Wednesday, Pauw held an official launch in Hyde Park. And the venue was absolutely packed. But something strange happened which left many people on social media asking a few questions.
Also read: “State Security Agency threw away R1bn from taxpayers” – Jacques Pauw
The power went out at the venue and while Eskom has claimed responsibility for the outage, that doesn’t there weren’t a few conspiracies doing the rounds – especially since this sort of thing had never happened before.
Well done SSA! Blackout at Hyde Park just as Jacques Pauw begins speaking about the mysterious break-ins at Chief Justice, NPA etc. #ThePresidentsKeepers
— Ranjeni Munusamy (@RanjeniM) November 8, 2017
Raise ur hand if u believe that person responsible for the power outage at Hyde Park is the guy who answers in meandos #ThePresidentsKeepers pic.twitter.com/I1CtSubIYT
— Miss Adams (@LittleMsMercy) November 8, 2017
Bear in mind that, as far as I could see, the lights failed only on two areas: the lower wing where the launch was held and the wing where Exclusive Books is located
— Tim Beck (@Tim_Beck) November 9, 2017
So I went back to Hyde Park shopping centre now to get my car. Security guard tells me power outage of this sort has never happened before. And all is ok at hotel adjoining. Strange times…
— Ranjeni Munusamy (@RanjeniM) November 8, 2017
And here’s a view from the opposite side…
Maybe, just maybe, Jacque cut the power at @ExclusiveBooks to keep the hype going. Sales would suggest that it’s clearly working. If we’re going to be conspiracy theorists, let’s go large! #Presidentskeeper
— DChetty (@DChetty) November 9, 2017
Black First Land First (BLF) had threatened a “nice surprise” at the launch, but denied responsibility for the power cut.
https://twitter.com/Mngxitama/status/928256259610087424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.co.za%2F2017%2F11%2F09%2Fblf-black-god-killed-the-lights-at-jacques-pauw-launch_a_23271557%2F
Mngxtitama fired off a bunch of follow up Tweets saying “more surprises” are planned.
https://twitter.com/Mngxitama/status/928488627616837632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.co.za%2F2017%2F11%2F09%2Fblf-black-god-killed-the-lights-at-jacques-pauw-launch_a_23271557%2F
Later, though, he told South Africa’s Huffington Post the “black god” acted on BLF’s behalf.
“I was praying that something like this would happen. Our message about that man [Pauw] is very clear, so we said, ‘God, do something for us tonight’, and our black god answered,” he said.
And, just to make sure that he got the message across, he Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/Mngxitama/status/928494520278355968
Alrighty, then.
If there was anything suspicious going on, those in attendance weren’t going to let anything bad happen to Pauw.
#ThePresidentsKeeper a protective ring has formed around Jacques Pauw. Electricity still out although just on briefly for 2 seconds pic.twitter.com/4yw2tHMSx0
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 8, 2017