Gangster State

Unravelling Ace Magashule’s Web of Capture

By: Pieter-Louis Myburgh

Narrated by: Marcel van Heerden

In spite of Cyril Ramaphosa’s ‘new dawn’, there are powerful forces in the ruling party that risk losing everything if corruption and state capture finally do come to an end. At the centre of the old guard’s fightback efforts is Ace Magashule, a man viewed by some as South Africa’s most dangerous politician.

In this explosive book, investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh ventures deeper than ever before into Magashule’s murky dealings, from his time as a struggle activist in the 1980s to his powerful rule as premier of the Free State province for nearly a decade, and his rise to one of the ANC’s most influential positions. Sifting through heaps of records, documents and exclusive source interviews, Myburgh explores Magashule’s relationship with the notorious Gupta family and other tender moguls; investigates government projects costing billions that enriched his friends and family but failed the poor; reveals how he was about to be arrested by the Scorpions before their disbandment in the late 2000s; and exposes the methods used to keep him in power in the Free State and to secure him the post of ANC secretary-general.

Most tellingly, Myburgh pieces together a pack of leaked emails and documents to reveal shocking new details on a massive Free State government contract and Magashule’s dealings with a businessman who was gunned down in Sandton in 2017. These files seem to lay bare the methods of a man who usually operated without leaving a trace. Gangster State is an unflinching examination of the ANC’s top leadership in the post–Jacob Zuma era, one that should lead listeners to a disconcerting conclusion: When it comes to the forces of capture, South Africa is still far from safe.

©2019 Penguin Random House South Africa (P)2021 Penguin Random House South Africa

Well written and very brave,

PLM shines the light on some of the dodgiest dealings in our country. Very brave. Especially considering the unfortunate fate of some of the role players he covers in this book.

It's a great pity that the narrator makes ZERO effort to pronounce names of people and places that are not English or Afrikaans. There's a difference between relating a story at a braai and narrating a book. One is casual and the other is professional. Our guy here was more the former than the latter. Unfortunately taking away context from so important a body of work. If you can, rather get the actual book. If like me you can't, brace yourself.

WOW!

What an EXPOSÉ! This is a Master Class in investigative journalism!

Whilst I am profoundly impressed with the quality of the author's work, I am utterly disgusted at the depth of the corruption in my Mother Land.

May this book serve as a catalyst to bring these corruption demons TO BOOK!

Explosive

Well researched, clearly outlined events, precise, eye opening and generally a well written and read book.