My Second Initiation: The Memoir of Vusi Pikoli

by Vusi Pikoli, Mandy Wiener

My Second Initiation As National Director of Public Prosecutions from 2005 until 2007, Advocate Vusi Pikoli pursued criminal charges against the current President of South Africa Jacob Zuma and the convicted former National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi.

375 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Bandile Nxele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book. I recommend it for all who are interested in SA politics. One of the best parts about Pikoli is that he is neither on the Zuma camp nor the Mbeki camp, so he has an opportunity to give an objective view on both men. In giving this view he holds back no punches. He also takes on the status on the SA prosecution system and it's questionable independence and political interference. The book is written in simple English meaning you can go through it very fast. Its a book difficult to out down , every chapter offers something new and interesting. Its a must read.

[Asiphe Mzaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly poignant and yet exciting book.Unusual combination of adjectves,I know.There were chapters so emotionally packed that I had to skip them.''The Truth and Reconciliation Commision'' was one such chapter where Dirk Coetzee recounts how he and the Apartheid death squad shot and killed Sizwe Kondile;burned his body on a pyre of tyres and how they had a braai and drank beer while his body burned to ashes.The apathy,the utter disregard for human life...I cannot imagine how Vusi(who grew up with Sizwe and regarded him as an older brother) and,especially, Sizwe's mother felt as they listened to Dirk's confession in the audience.May Sizwe's soul rest in peace.
The book gets more exciting and less poignant as you read on-especially in the chapters following Vusi's appointment as National Director of Public Prosecutions.Vusi recounts how Selebi almost got off the hook;Why Kebble's killers walked;how the likes of Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and other MP's escaped prosecution in the 'Travel gate' saga;how dubiously Jacob Zuma's corruption charges were suddenly dropped-paving the way for him to become president of the country.It's all so very exciting!This was definately worth reading.The book gets 5/5 from me.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Redeems your faith in humanity. Vusi Pikoli's struggle against pressure to close ranks and protect self interest to eat at the trough. The detail that he provides at every step of his journey to put constitutional obligations before party political self enriching interest is good food for the soul.. The security cluster will make or break the crisis of crime in SA. South Africa is all the poorer with the muscling out of a man of integrity like Vusi Pikoli. Amazing to read his life experince growing up in the Eastern Cape - one of the most militant provinces in the struggle against Apartheid. His story includes his ritual of initiation into manhood and the roots of the bond he shared with comrade Sizwe Kondile - who was brutally murdered by the Apartheid Security forces. And then coming back from exile. This is a man who can sleep in peace every night. The same cannot be said of the protagonists in his story.

[Yvonne Chepkonga · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this memoir, Vusi talks about the events that led to his suspension and subsequent dismissal from the position of the head of prosecutions. It tells a chilling story of how far the politicians can go in (wrongly) protecting their cronies, even if it means ruining a life, in this case Vusi's. It brings to light an almost mafia-like operation at the highest office of the country.

It's an easy and captivating book, written in an accessible language.

[Wayne Jordaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the end of this book I am left with admiration for the stand taken by Vusi Pikoli, in the face of very powerful forces. Yes, throughout he reveals and admits that he could be quite naive, but it is quite clear that his objective is to contribute to the building of a democratic South Africa. An objective he is pursuing at great expense to himself and his family. This book forces me to examine my own contribution to the reconstruction if South African

[Bruce Harbour]

A clear portrayal of the turmoil that a person of integrity went through when coming up against political principals. Sadly, it seems the powerfully connected won the battle. What was also interesting was the fact that he mentions meetings with people that I have also interacted with! We live in historical times!

[Lindi Mogale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book well written provided such insight into the world of politics and the ANC. It was interesting to see the world from the view of someone who was in the struggle. Would recommend this book

[Geoffrey Abrams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly written book with special attention to details.

[Seretse Mothibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the world of politics, right and wrong are subjective terms.