The Freedom of Expression Institute says since African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General, Ace Magashule, himself has not legally challenged investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh’s book about him, others should not take it upon themselves to disrupt the launch of the book or threaten to burn copies.
The book is entitled ‘Gangster State: Unravelling Ace Magashule’s web of capture’.
On Tuesday evening, a group of people with some wearing ANC t-shirts disrupted the launch at an Exclusive Books store in Sandton City.
There has been public outrage to the disruption, from which the ANC has distanced itself.
Executive Director of the Freedom of Expression Institute, Samkelo Mokhine says the disruption of the book launch is an infringement of Myburgh’s right to freedom of expression.
“What business do other people have of doing what they did. And in terms of the subsequent reaction from Magashule, it’s clear that he’s also distancing himself from what has happened and that should be a lesson to people in the ANC Youth League or other formations that want to take up fights that ideally shouldn’t belong to them,” says Mokhine.
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