It is based on the alleged role former Premier of the Free State, Ace Magashule played in state capture in the province.

Magashule is now the Secretary General of the ANC at national level. Myburgh says he will at the discussion today give a presentation on the research he undertook in writing the book as well as talk about the some of the issues raised in the book.  

Following which, there will be a panel discussion as well as a question and answer session with members of the public and those in attendance. 

The event, which will be held at the University of the Free State’s Bloemfontein campus, comes after the University earlier announced that it would be postponing the event, following a risk assessment that was conducted. 

Following a backlash on the decision to hold off on the event, over the weekend, the University then announced that it would be reversing the decision to postpone the event. 

Speaking to OFM News on whether or not he has any safety concerns with regards to this discussion, Myburgh said as far as he knew, organizers of the event arranged for additional security in the event that something may go wrong.  

Myburgh’s book garnered strong responses when it was released just over two month ago across the country, as the launch of his book was forced to shut down after a group of the ANC’s Youth League entered the Sandton based store where the book launch was and ripped these apart and disrupted proceedings. 

A few days later, another event in Cape Town had to be moved, following threats and safety concerns, following the commotion at the Exclusive Books store in Sandton, Gauteng.  

UFS spokesperson, Lacea Loader told OFM News as per the standard procedures of events presented at the UFS, the necessary security measures are in place. 

Meanwhile, the ANC in the Free State earlier said that they look forward to engage Myburgh on the allegations he makes against Magashule in the book. The party’s spokesperson in the province, Thabo Meeko, told OFM News that the book - titled Gangster State: Unravelling Ace Magashule's Web of Capture - makes dangerous allegations against Magashule. 

He added the ANC took a decision to robustly engage the book because it lacks intellectual capacity, adding the specific details of the book will discussed and challenged at the event. 

Meeko says Myburgh seeks to denigrate the image of Magashule in what he calls a "public court". The event will take place in the Odeion Theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus from 14:00 to 16:00 on Thursday afternoon.

OFM News