OFM on Wednesday received an email from the University stating that the event would be postponed owing to a risk assessment that showed that forging ahead with the event would be risky for the community where the University is situated. 

However, in a statement issued Friday afternoon, UFS spokesperson Lacea Loader says the discussion of the book Gangster State by Myburgh will go ahead as planned on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus (UFS) ?on 23 May 2019?. 

Meanwhile, Myburgh, who had earlier said neither himself nor his publishers were earlier informed that the event would be postponed, said this latest decision comes after he and all stakeholders involved consulted each other on continuing with the event. He also considers this a win for free speech.

"Furthermore, the university wants to reiterate that freedom of expression is not an absolute and should be seen within a particular context. The university welcomes and appreciates the fact that the author, Pieter-Louis Myburgh agreed to continue with the book discussion," Loader said in a statement. 

The event will take place in the Odeion Theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus ?from 14:00 to 16:00?.

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