Ace Magashule calls Gangster State book launch protesters to order

ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has called to order party supporters who disrupted the launch of journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh's book Gangster State: Unravelling Ace Magashule's Web of Capture.

This comes after a group of Magashule loyalists stormed the event at Exclusive Books in Sandton City on Tuesday evening, tearing up copies of the book.

A group of supporters in Mangaung have scheduled a public ceremony for Monday to burn copies of the book. 

In a statement on Wednesday, Magashule said the contents of the book - which implicate him in rampant corruption while he was Free State premier -  should rather be engaged "in the battle of ideas".

"The constitution and laws of the country allow for channels to follow when we disagree with information and ideas, whether in books or in the media. I have indicated to my organisation that I am pursuing legal action against the false allegations made in the book," he said. 

"In addition, where we disagree with views expressed in books, the media and other platforms, we must use peaceful and constitutional means to engage those who peddle lies and fake news.

"Those purporting to be ANC members and supporters disrupting book launches, (threatening to) burn books and intimidate authors and journalists, in my name or to be revolutionary, should desist." He said these "are actions of political intolerance, and against freedom of expression for all South Africans".