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The President's Keepers: Those Keeping Zuma in Power and Out of Prison
Investigative journalist Jacques Pauw exposes the darkest secret at the heart of Jacob Zuma’s compromised government: a cancerous cabal that eliminates the president’s enemies and purges the law-enforcement agencies of good men and women.
As Zuma fights for his political life following the 2017 Gupta emails leak, this cabal – the president’s keepers – ensures that after years of ruinous rule, he remains in power and out of prison. But is Zuma the puppet master, or their puppet?
Journey with Pauw as he explores the shadow mafia state. From KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape to the corridors of power in Pretoria and Johannesburg – and even to clandestine meetings in Russia. It’s a trail of lies and spies, cronies, cash and kingmakers as Pauw prises open the web of deceit that surrounds the fourth president of the democratic era.
As Zuma fights for his political life following the 2017 Gupta emails leak, this cabal – the president’s keepers – ensures that after years of ruinous rule, he remains in power and out of prison. But is Zuma the puppet master, or their puppet?
Journey with Pauw as he explores the shadow mafia state. From KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape to the corridors of power in Pretoria and Johannesburg – and even to clandestine meetings in Russia. It’s a trail of lies and spies, cronies, cash and kingmakers as Pauw prises open the web of deceit that surrounds the fourth president of the democratic era.
332 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
870 people are currently reading
1243 people want to read
About the author
Jacques Pauw
9 books55 followersSouth African journalist and author Jacques Pauw was a founder member of the anti-apartheid Afrikaans newspaper Vrye Weekblad in the late 1980s, where he exposed the Vlakplaas police death squads.
He worked for some of the country’s most esteemed publications before becoming a documentary filmmaker, producing documentaries on wars and conflicts in Rwanda, Burundi, Algeria, Liberia, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone, among other countries.
When he left journalism in 2014, he was the head of investigations at Media24 newspapers. He has won the CNN African Journalist of the Year Award twice, the Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding International Investigative Reporting in the US, Italy’s Ilaria Alpi and the Nat Nakasa award for bravery and integrity in journalism.
He is the author of five books: four nonfiction and one fiction. They are In the Heart of the Whore, Into the Heart of Darkness, Dances with Devils, Rat Roads and Little Ice Cream Boy. Three of his books have been shortlisted for major literary awards.
He worked for some of the country’s most esteemed publications before becoming a documentary filmmaker, producing documentaries on wars and conflicts in Rwanda, Burundi, Algeria, Liberia, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone, among other countries.
When he left journalism in 2014, he was the head of investigations at Media24 newspapers. He has won the CNN African Journalist of the Year Award twice, the Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding International Investigative Reporting in the US, Italy’s Ilaria Alpi and the Nat Nakasa award for bravery and integrity in journalism.
He is the author of five books: four nonfiction and one fiction. They are In the Heart of the Whore, Into the Heart of Darkness, Dances with Devils, Rat Roads and Little Ice Cream Boy. Three of his books have been shortlisted for major literary awards.
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November 9, 2017
By the time this book reached GR it has been swooped up already by thousands of South African readers through word-of-mouth. This is the way the message reached me to read this book. One of our book club members slapped us with it :-)
The same people who follow these events in the newspapers, will want to read this tale of state capture, corruption and raping of the South African tax money. Nothing in it is really new. But to see the evidence all in one place, and confirmed by several sources, is enough reason to catch up on the events of the past decade in South African politics.
We are all aware of Big Brother watching us and ripping us off with ever increasing taxes and removing the 'enemies of the state' who appose them. For this reason it is so much more important to hail the virtues and courage of the journalists, government officials and other people who are willing to stick out their necks in an effort to expose the tyranny and hell of the current regime in South Africa. These brave whistle blowers are all risking their lives, and their families are in serious danger. Max Du Preez described the situation as annus maximus horribilis.
Pauw's book mentions the role of Jacob Zuma as chief representative, and head of Mbokodo( 'The stone that crushes'), the security department of the ANC in exile. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was a court-like restorative justice body which was set up after 1994 to deal with the events in the country during Apartheid. According to the book, Mbokodo was occupied by paranoid, violent and ruthless coterie of brutes who dished out the same harsh punishment to dissidents than the KGB. The TRC would later conclude in its report that Mbokodo had been responsible for 'gross violations of human rights... against suspected 'enemy agents' and 'mutineers'. Jacob Zuma refused to testify in the hearings. He also to this day, refuses to disclose any information on the fifteen years of his life in exile.
After becoming president in South Africa, he used the same methods to deal with opponents and enemies of his regime.
Jacques Pauw and Max Du Preez ran Die Vrye Weekblad (meaning 'the free weekly journal'), an anti-Apartheid newspaper during the Apartheids years. Their offices were bombed, they were intimidated, and eventually forced to close down when they lost a costly court battle against the corrupt officials in the previous government. Years later their innocence was proven and their exposure of the dark forces, the police death squad at Vlakteplaas, was proven correct. Too late for them.
Now the same two-man-band, (Max Du Preez in a shadow encouraging role) came together to compile this book of the new regime who outshines the previous one in political murders, nepotism, and tsotsi-ocracy, or kleptocracy. These crimes reach the industrial scale of theft and economic destruction. In November 2011, Archbishop Desmund Tutu upset the whole cart when he equated the Zuma regime with the previous one. President Jacob Zuma and Cabinet ministers were hurt and "disturbed" by Tutu's comments and the ANC found it "unacceptable that he could equate this government to the apartheid regime, which was racist, oppressive and committed crimes against humanity". Unbelievable, when their current own track record is much much worse in every way. The pot calling the kettle black. Should we laugh or cry. There might be other countries with the same kind of leaders, but it will take a lot of effort to top our current president's criminal record. He stands accused of 783 charges of fraud against him, and that was only the beginning. The current charges have not been added yet, namely the Zupta scandals, and he is doing whatever it takes to stay out of jail. A platoon of Rottweilers, his security cluster, surround him 24/7. Security legislation are used to gag the press and nourish these government thugs's obsessive secrecy.
Alan Paton wrote his much acclaimed book, Cry, My Beloved Country in 1948. It became an iconic story and a classic of South African literature. How ironic was the title. Or is it a case of the people never stopped crying, and now, more than ever, are heartbroken by what happened in the meantime.
This book reads like a thriller. An excellent exposé, and probably an eye-opening account of life in South Africa under the current regime. Very well written.
Another book, which provide additional understanding of our president, and can serve as background to this one, is Zuma Exposed by Adriaan Basson(2012). The author's second book is actually published today, 7th November 2017: Enemy of the People: How Jacob Zuma stole South Africa and how the people fought back by Adriaan Basson, Pieter Du Toit.
Other books which can be considered:
A Manifesto for Social Change: How to Save South Africa (Picador Africa), by Moeletsi Mbeki and Nobantu Mbeki - the third book in a trilogy, preceeded by Architects of Poverty and Advocates for Change.
No Longer Whispering To Power - The Story Of Thuli Madonsela by Thandeka Gqubule;
Democracy and Delusion by Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh;
Khwezi - The Remarkable Story Of Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo by Redi Tlhabi.
So read these books, and hope the ordinary good people of South Africa will finally realize what is happening in our scandal-drenched administration, and kick the whole mafia out.
In reading the truggle history through numerous litarary offerings by author such as Oswald Mtshali, Sol Plaatjie, John Dube, Pixley Seme, Serote, Sepamla, Gwala and many others, one can only wonder how devastating it must be for the people who went through it, to be betrayed in the end by the leaders they so trusted. Too many people have already been bruttaly murdered. Too many people are mourning. The soul of South Africa is dying. Hope has already departed (very melodramatic, I know, but that's how the people feel). Yet, the citizens are fighting back. Allies of the mighty are peeling back, the folks are taking to the streets. The winds of change might be coming. The struggle is taking a new turn.
South Africans really need to read these books. The author, once again somewhat melodramatic like yours truly, states that he might be arrested and sent to jail for exposing the orgy of depravity and venality of the current regime. He might stand accused of 'jeopardizing national security', which he is not quilty of, but will nevertheless be a target to be dealt with.
And that is how it is. Just read the book.
The same people who follow these events in the newspapers, will want to read this tale of state capture, corruption and raping of the South African tax money. Nothing in it is really new. But to see the evidence all in one place, and confirmed by several sources, is enough reason to catch up on the events of the past decade in South African politics.
We are all aware of Big Brother watching us and ripping us off with ever increasing taxes and removing the 'enemies of the state' who appose them. For this reason it is so much more important to hail the virtues and courage of the journalists, government officials and other people who are willing to stick out their necks in an effort to expose the tyranny and hell of the current regime in South Africa. These brave whistle blowers are all risking their lives, and their families are in serious danger. Max Du Preez described the situation as annus maximus horribilis.
Pauw's book mentions the role of Jacob Zuma as chief representative, and head of Mbokodo( 'The stone that crushes'), the security department of the ANC in exile. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was a court-like restorative justice body which was set up after 1994 to deal with the events in the country during Apartheid. According to the book, Mbokodo was occupied by paranoid, violent and ruthless coterie of brutes who dished out the same harsh punishment to dissidents than the KGB. The TRC would later conclude in its report that Mbokodo had been responsible for 'gross violations of human rights... against suspected 'enemy agents' and 'mutineers'. Jacob Zuma refused to testify in the hearings. He also to this day, refuses to disclose any information on the fifteen years of his life in exile.
After becoming president in South Africa, he used the same methods to deal with opponents and enemies of his regime.
Jacques Pauw and Max Du Preez ran Die Vrye Weekblad (meaning 'the free weekly journal'), an anti-Apartheid newspaper during the Apartheids years. Their offices were bombed, they were intimidated, and eventually forced to close down when they lost a costly court battle against the corrupt officials in the previous government. Years later their innocence was proven and their exposure of the dark forces, the police death squad at Vlakteplaas, was proven correct. Too late for them.
Now the same two-man-band, (Max Du Preez in a shadow encouraging role) came together to compile this book of the new regime who outshines the previous one in political murders, nepotism, and tsotsi-ocracy, or kleptocracy. These crimes reach the industrial scale of theft and economic destruction. In November 2011, Archbishop Desmund Tutu upset the whole cart when he equated the Zuma regime with the previous one. President Jacob Zuma and Cabinet ministers were hurt and "disturbed" by Tutu's comments and the ANC found it "unacceptable that he could equate this government to the apartheid regime, which was racist, oppressive and committed crimes against humanity". Unbelievable, when their current own track record is much much worse in every way. The pot calling the kettle black. Should we laugh or cry. There might be other countries with the same kind of leaders, but it will take a lot of effort to top our current president's criminal record. He stands accused of 783 charges of fraud against him, and that was only the beginning. The current charges have not been added yet, namely the Zupta scandals, and he is doing whatever it takes to stay out of jail. A platoon of Rottweilers, his security cluster, surround him 24/7. Security legislation are used to gag the press and nourish these government thugs's obsessive secrecy.
Alan Paton wrote his much acclaimed book, Cry, My Beloved Country in 1948. It became an iconic story and a classic of South African literature. How ironic was the title. Or is it a case of the people never stopped crying, and now, more than ever, are heartbroken by what happened in the meantime.
This book reads like a thriller. An excellent exposé, and probably an eye-opening account of life in South Africa under the current regime. Very well written.
Another book, which provide additional understanding of our president, and can serve as background to this one, is Zuma Exposed by Adriaan Basson(2012). The author's second book is actually published today, 7th November 2017: Enemy of the People: How Jacob Zuma stole South Africa and how the people fought back by Adriaan Basson, Pieter Du Toit.
Other books which can be considered:
A Manifesto for Social Change: How to Save South Africa (Picador Africa), by Moeletsi Mbeki and Nobantu Mbeki - the third book in a trilogy, preceeded by Architects of Poverty and Advocates for Change.
No Longer Whispering To Power - The Story Of Thuli Madonsela by Thandeka Gqubule;
Democracy and Delusion by Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh;
Khwezi - The Remarkable Story Of Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo by Redi Tlhabi.
So read these books, and hope the ordinary good people of South Africa will finally realize what is happening in our scandal-drenched administration, and kick the whole mafia out.
In reading the truggle history through numerous litarary offerings by author such as Oswald Mtshali, Sol Plaatjie, John Dube, Pixley Seme, Serote, Sepamla, Gwala and many others, one can only wonder how devastating it must be for the people who went through it, to be betrayed in the end by the leaders they so trusted. Too many people have already been bruttaly murdered. Too many people are mourning. The soul of South Africa is dying. Hope has already departed (very melodramatic, I know, but that's how the people feel). Yet, the citizens are fighting back. Allies of the mighty are peeling back, the folks are taking to the streets. The winds of change might be coming. The struggle is taking a new turn.
South Africans really need to read these books. The author, once again somewhat melodramatic like yours truly, states that he might be arrested and sent to jail for exposing the orgy of depravity and venality of the current regime. He might stand accused of 'jeopardizing national security', which he is not quilty of, but will nevertheless be a target to be dealt with.
And that is how it is. Just read the book.
November 13, 2017
The book ends with words quoted from Richard Poplak,
“Countries are no longer countries, but fiefdoms run by tiny hyper-elites, exclusively for their own benefit”.
This statement suggest that there was a time in history where politicians served people and life was better. I don’t know such a time in Afrika.
In his memoirs, Birth of a Dream Weaver, Ngugi says, “Your politician will demand that the hungry feed him, the thirsty give him water, the homeless build him palaces, the barefoot give him shoes, and the naked cloth him. The more he has, the more he will pad himself, even with the products of the ism he says he is fighting.”
On his last encounter with his high school principal, Edward Francis, before heading to Makerekere University, Francis advised Ngugi “whatever you do, don’t be a politician. All politicians, black, white, and brown are unmitigated scoundrels”.
“Countries are no longer countries, but fiefdoms run by tiny hyper-elites, exclusively for their own benefit”.
This statement suggest that there was a time in history where politicians served people and life was better. I don’t know such a time in Afrika.
In his memoirs, Birth of a Dream Weaver, Ngugi says, “Your politician will demand that the hungry feed him, the thirsty give him water, the homeless build him palaces, the barefoot give him shoes, and the naked cloth him. The more he has, the more he will pad himself, even with the products of the ism he says he is fighting.”
On his last encounter with his high school principal, Edward Francis, before heading to Makerekere University, Francis advised Ngugi “whatever you do, don’t be a politician. All politicians, black, white, and brown are unmitigated scoundrels”.
November 4, 2017
This review is not written by me, but I could not say it any better. The author of the review, Christopher Dean, has given me permission to share it here:
https://writerswrite.co.za/book-revie...
"Never in my lifetime has the future of my life, and the future of my country, been so threatened. I didn’t live through the late Apartheid years but I hear my elders say day after day this is how it was. It is a feeling in the air and in the pit of your stomach every morning that the world around you is not well and is constantly getting worse.
Jacques Pauw, an anti-Apartheid journalist, did live through those dark days and he does feel the regression back into a world of thugs and spies under Jacob Zuma and the ANC. Courageously, he and his sources have, to use former finance minister, Pravin Gordhan’s words, “joined the dots” between the obviously corrupt and those in the shadows who support these deviants and villains in their corrupt conquests against the people of this land.
You must read this book. You must know your enemies. Just as they have known you and have enjoyed your tax money these last 10 years.
Buy this book in defiance of a gangster-state government that would ban the truth. More power to the author and may his words inspire action against the corrupt ANC government led by Jacob Zuma."
https://writerswrite.co.za/book-revie...
https://writerswrite.co.za/book-revie...
"Never in my lifetime has the future of my life, and the future of my country, been so threatened. I didn’t live through the late Apartheid years but I hear my elders say day after day this is how it was. It is a feeling in the air and in the pit of your stomach every morning that the world around you is not well and is constantly getting worse.
Jacques Pauw, an anti-Apartheid journalist, did live through those dark days and he does feel the regression back into a world of thugs and spies under Jacob Zuma and the ANC. Courageously, he and his sources have, to use former finance minister, Pravin Gordhan’s words, “joined the dots” between the obviously corrupt and those in the shadows who support these deviants and villains in their corrupt conquests against the people of this land.
You must read this book. You must know your enemies. Just as they have known you and have enjoyed your tax money these last 10 years.
Buy this book in defiance of a gangster-state government that would ban the truth. More power to the author and may his words inspire action against the corrupt ANC government led by Jacob Zuma."
https://writerswrite.co.za/book-revie...
October 29, 2017
This is an extraordinary book, laying bare the awful cancerous rot that keeps Jacob Zuma in power and out of jail. It reads like a spy thriller. If only it were fiction, not nightmarish fact. In devastating, forensic detail, Jacques Pauw peels away the layers of corruption and criminality to expose a toxic presidency and the coterie of crooks and gangsters destroying South Africa. Read an extract here: https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-ti... But more importantly, go out and buy a copy today. It is a book that every South African should read.
November 25, 2017
Corruption. We have all heard about it but we typically think back to Nkandla and the firepool joke and "wasnt the money paid back?" and conclude that that was the extent of the corruption. Not so! Read this book! Our society has been corrupted to the core. Good people have been thrown by the way side so that billions could be stolen from the citizens by a corrupt cabal from the top down. Surprisingly a person I know had a key role to play in this book (on the side of justice of course - I bet he has a story to tell!). This is an extremely serious situation for South Africa where the looters seem to be continuing to loot with impunity. How will it all play out?
November 12, 2017
Shocking. This book lays everything, all of the crime and putrescence, bare. Scary and depressing as it is, I feel like every South African should read it.
November 11, 2017
The title of Alan Paton's 1948 novel, Cry, the beloved country, comes to mind as heading for any discussion of Jacques Pauw's book - and I cannot be the only person to think so.
Pauw's narrative is expertly constructed, keeping the attention through its full sweep as readers are introduced to characters both good and bad, events and plans and decisions that often make the blood run cold. His inclusion of metanarrative, telling us about his own actions in starting and continuing the book by giving precise detail of his meetings with informants and events in his own life, ensures this interest for me.
Given the response of state bodies like the SSA to this book, much has been said about Pauw's bravery. The legal assaults he will endure, accusing him of publishing private tax information, for example, will be very interesting.
Although some of his content was either known or suspected before, it is the complexity and depth of the weave of criminality and opportunism that hit the reader between the eyes. And then he ends with a warning that makes one grab for a passport or asylum forms.
As unpleasant as the information presented in the book is, it is important for us as South Africans to know what has been happening - and to gauge the responses of our compatriots of different groupings to this publication. One can only hope that Pauw's meticulous slog over the last few years will have a positive influence on the ANC conference within a few weeks - we all have a new set of measurements to evaluate what will happen there. For this we have Pauw and his informers, his 'deep throats', to thank.
Pauw se boek tref die leser tussen die oë soos 'n muilskop. Hoewel ons al 'n paar dinge geweet en ander vermoed het, is dit die omvang en kompleksiteit van die korrupsie wat hy blootlê, wat 'n mens ontstel. Hopelik verlê hierdie kennis die gebeure van die ANC se konferensie oor enkele weke. Ten minste het ons 'n nuwe stel gereedskap om daardie konferensie te evalueer en te begryp. Mag hierdie publikasie, hierdie openbaarmaking, soos supermedisyne op 'n enorme verswering werk.
Pauw's narrative is expertly constructed, keeping the attention through its full sweep as readers are introduced to characters both good and bad, events and plans and decisions that often make the blood run cold. His inclusion of metanarrative, telling us about his own actions in starting and continuing the book by giving precise detail of his meetings with informants and events in his own life, ensures this interest for me.
Given the response of state bodies like the SSA to this book, much has been said about Pauw's bravery. The legal assaults he will endure, accusing him of publishing private tax information, for example, will be very interesting.
Although some of his content was either known or suspected before, it is the complexity and depth of the weave of criminality and opportunism that hit the reader between the eyes. And then he ends with a warning that makes one grab for a passport or asylum forms.
As unpleasant as the information presented in the book is, it is important for us as South Africans to know what has been happening - and to gauge the responses of our compatriots of different groupings to this publication. One can only hope that Pauw's meticulous slog over the last few years will have a positive influence on the ANC conference within a few weeks - we all have a new set of measurements to evaluate what will happen there. For this we have Pauw and his informers, his 'deep throats', to thank.
Pauw se boek tref die leser tussen die oë soos 'n muilskop. Hoewel ons al 'n paar dinge geweet en ander vermoed het, is dit die omvang en kompleksiteit van die korrupsie wat hy blootlê, wat 'n mens ontstel. Hopelik verlê hierdie kennis die gebeure van die ANC se konferensie oor enkele weke. Ten minste het ons 'n nuwe stel gereedskap om daardie konferensie te evalueer en te begryp. Mag hierdie publikasie, hierdie openbaarmaking, soos supermedisyne op 'n enorme verswering werk.
November 6, 2017
Be afraid, be very afraid. Leon Schuster used to make jokes about "Gangster's paradise" (GP), but this is no longer a joke. This is deadly serious. Zuma has turned our promising "rainbow nation" into a safe haven for gangsters and a lucrative paradise for high-end and top-class criminals. Jacques Pauw has put together bits and pieces that have floated around our newsrooms and what many have been writing in their own sphere and personal experience. He's put the many pieces of the puzzle together, painting the big picture and going a long way to prove, that there's method in the madness confronting our SA society since Zuma usurped the throne. It's not just about the demise and focussed corruption and demolition of SARS, but of all crime fighting agencies in our young democracy. The dark and evil side of the ANC, which surfaced way back in its own terrible history of fighting it's own locally and in the its bases beyond our borders, has taken over control of national security and various intelligence organizations of our state. Operating clandestine and in the shadow of darkness and death. Illegal, crooked and dangerous. Crime bosses, mafia murderers and other thieves and robbers have captured the state. They run free, ignoring law and order and running wild and roughshod, shedding innocent blood and making society pay for their brazen daylight robbery, backstabbing, violations, injuries and murder. Zuma is their pawn and willing protector even as they cover his back and keep him out of jail. This book goes a long way that "Zuma must fall" is not just an opportunistic slogan, but a political necessity. Hopefully the threat envisioned (and feared) by this corrupt president will come soon: Regime change and better sooner than later. Otherwise South Africa will descend deeper than junk status. We will land up in the pits! Zimbabwe has proven, that there's a long way down for a functioning state before it hits rock bottom. I hope that this book will be read by many and hasten the day of Zuma's demise. He's caused far too many good and straight shooters to be dismissed unfairly, unlawfully and due to obvious opportunism, replacing the good guys with incompetent stooges, pathetic lame ducks and bad jokes of the nations. Sadly this joke's on us and the only one giggling madly is the looney shower head barricaded in the ANC laager, protected by his sinister Mafia and celebrating in that notorious Saxonworld Shebeen with other misfits and rotten gangsters. Jacques Pauw has truly put together "Dynamite" (Max du Preez). I sure pray, that it will create more than fireworks in the ANC cadres and more than a big explosion in their rotten party.
November 27, 2017
Like Mark Twain said: "Truth is stranger than fiction" and it is more evident when you read the shocking, well researched, well written book by one of my favorite investigative journalist, Charl Pauw.
It certainly was extremely brave (and somehow crazy) to take on the dangerous and big crooks that is currently eradicating (or trying to) what was build up during the last 20 years.
I know I was not supposed to be surprised by some of the revelation, but reading it in black and white and knowing that not one word has been written in this book that was not carefully thought through and can be backed up by some evidence or witness account makes this even more scarier.
I can also not deny that I was thinking that strangely a lot that is going on in South African politics is not so different to what is happening in Amercian politics. As strange as this might sound.
It is not only a book about south african politics, it is a lesson in history, in justice and in the dangers of "the use of power in the wrong hands".
As I am writing this, the State Security Agency is still considering there next move (they intent on charging Charl - with what I am not sure). They urged Charl and his publishers to remove the book from its shelves, yet no move.
It was certainly not an easy read for me. It took me a very long time to read as there is a lot of information to take in, digest, process and try to make sense off. As a south African that just really want everyone to work together and see all south Africans prosper it was really very sad and depressing to read about the billions and billions of Rands that was squandered. I am hopeful, but scared for my country, my fellow south Africans and the future of this beautiful country I call home.
If you enjoyed this one", please do yourself a favour and read some of his other work like "Little Ice Cream Boy" and "Dances with Devils: A Journalist's Search for Truth".
It certainly was extremely brave (and somehow crazy) to take on the dangerous and big crooks that is currently eradicating (or trying to) what was build up during the last 20 years.
I know I was not supposed to be surprised by some of the revelation, but reading it in black and white and knowing that not one word has been written in this book that was not carefully thought through and can be backed up by some evidence or witness account makes this even more scarier.
I can also not deny that I was thinking that strangely a lot that is going on in South African politics is not so different to what is happening in Amercian politics. As strange as this might sound.
It is not only a book about south african politics, it is a lesson in history, in justice and in the dangers of "the use of power in the wrong hands".
As I am writing this, the State Security Agency is still considering there next move (they intent on charging Charl - with what I am not sure). They urged Charl and his publishers to remove the book from its shelves, yet no move.
It was certainly not an easy read for me. It took me a very long time to read as there is a lot of information to take in, digest, process and try to make sense off. As a south African that just really want everyone to work together and see all south Africans prosper it was really very sad and depressing to read about the billions and billions of Rands that was squandered. I am hopeful, but scared for my country, my fellow south Africans and the future of this beautiful country I call home.
If you enjoyed this one", please do yourself a favour and read some of his other work like "Little Ice Cream Boy" and "Dances with Devils: A Journalist's Search for Truth".
July 24, 2019
Read this in 36 hours, it's pretty compulsive in the way you might accidentally stick your head into a hornet's nest is compulsive - you want to make it as brief an experience as possible. The President's Keepers confirms what has been taking place during the Zuma years: corruption on such a scale that grand larceny wasn't sufficient to feed the trough, so it's become state capture, mitigated only by some pretty fine South African journalism and a legal sector that has just about managed to stay atop of the stench of misdeeds, cronyism, bribery, brazen financial wrongdoing, sales of assets, taxation avoidance, theft and squandering of public money... It's truly horrific. Every roof in South Africa could have a solar panel on it if the money stolen from the state was put back into the nation's coffers. At a stroke South Africa's electricity outages would end, and electricity would be within reach of the millions of enduring, long-suffering South Africans. You gotta hope that day will come, and if it does some of the credit will go to Jacques Pauw, who has assembled one of the most damning dossiers of a political regime ever - makes the Borgias looks like social workers.
November 20, 2017
Two things are certain about this book: 1. The author is brave. 2. It’s a must read for every South African.
This is more than a book; it’s a historical account of a fascinating and decisive chapter of South African history. The research is in-depth and at times the reader is overwhelmed as more and more persons in the corridors of power are added to his “scumbag” list. The evidence and arguments presented are clearly and logically presented. One changes from head shakes to open mouth – fist clenching at the injustices and atrocities described to finally just casting one’s eyes to heaven… It is a journalistic masterpiece. Hats off to Jacques Pauw!
This is more than a book; it’s a historical account of a fascinating and decisive chapter of South African history. The research is in-depth and at times the reader is overwhelmed as more and more persons in the corridors of power are added to his “scumbag” list. The evidence and arguments presented are clearly and logically presented. One changes from head shakes to open mouth – fist clenching at the injustices and atrocities described to finally just casting one’s eyes to heaven… It is a journalistic masterpiece. Hats off to Jacques Pauw!
November 21, 2017
Amazing!
November 15, 2017
It is a damp autumn afternoon in the garden. You turn over a large stone to see all the creepy-crawlies underneath, the worms and earwigs and beetle larvae. That is a familiar analogy. But to get it right for this book you would have to lie down on your front with your face pressed into the slimy, wriggling world you've just exposed. Remember to keep your eyes and mouth open, and stay there, as the afternoon light gradually disappears and evening turns into night.
November 10, 2017
Benefit (may be) felt into our future
Piecing together the criminal behavior of the current South African government is of tremendous benefit, and may rescue our future from further decay. The parent whose child is at an underfunded and poorly managed public school should be grateful to Jacques Pauw for writing this book. So too should the South African that makes use of public health services and depends of social housing to shelter their family.
Piecing together the criminal behavior of the current South African government is of tremendous benefit, and may rescue our future from further decay. The parent whose child is at an underfunded and poorly managed public school should be grateful to Jacques Pauw for writing this book. So too should the South African that makes use of public health services and depends of social housing to shelter their family.
November 13, 2017
Very, very scary account of how most of the state organs have been captured by a few individuals... Tough times lie ahead for South Africa if this isn't subverted.
Read
November 7, 2017Explosive. The stuff that goes on behind the scenes while South Africa just carries on with life.
This book is a wake up call, albeit a decade or so too late. Props to the author.
This book is a wake up call, albeit a decade or so too late. Props to the author.
November 5, 2017
Gripping exposé
Reveals the attitudes of those in power in this country. Simple to read with logical arguments although writer does become emotive at times I still thoroughly enjoyed this.
Reveals the attitudes of those in power in this country. Simple to read with logical arguments although writer does become emotive at times I still thoroughly enjoyed this.
December 14, 2017
Anyone with a link to South Africa should read this book. I am not sure it would appeal to anyone else. It is hugely important in the context of South African politics and society of course. At the same time it is not particularly well written and is often very confusing as so many names come up and if you aren't already familiar with them it is hard to keep track. In addition I could only read a chapter at a time as it was so depressing and disturbing.
November 11, 2017
Once the Zuma admin is out office this book will be of little value.
November 24, 2017
Pauw's book is explosive in detailing how utterly corrupt is South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma, and just how much damage he and his criminal cronies have done to the country’s economy and social fabric. Zuma has reneged on his presidential oath that he “will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa, and will obey, observe, uphold and maintain the Constitution and all other law of the Republic; and... solemnly and sincerely promise that I will always: promote all that will advance the Republic, and oppose all that may harm it; protect and promote the rights of all South Africans; discharge my duties with all my strength and talents to the best of my knowledge and ability and true to the dictates of my conscience; do justice to all; and devote myself to the well-being of the Republic and all of its people.”
Pauw has unearthed massive evidence that Zuma has wilfully and repeatedly broken every one of these pledges to the extent that he could and should be tried not only for his criminal acts but for treason. Apart from shattering his presidential oath, it appears that he has failed to fulfil his duties as an ordinary citizen by, for instance, not submitting tax returns for a number of years.
The term state capture to describe the systemic political corruption in which private interests significantly influence a state's decision-making processes to their own advantage, is now inseparably associated with the Zuma autocracy, with all the consequent damage to the country, its institutions, its parliamentary democracy, its ruling political party and the vast majority of citizens who, not being cronies of the President, have been impoverished and had their rights trampled.
The extent of Zuma’s criminality lack of ethics is well documented, coming to the notice of the general public as long ago as 2004, when it ws revealed at the trial of Schabir Shaik that he had solicited a bribe of R500 000 (about US$37 000) a year for Zuma from French defence contractor Thomson-CSF. Arguably even more astonishing, after he succeeded to the Presidency he received a “salary” or R1 million (about $75 000) a month for four months from Royal Security, a company owned by billionaire businessman and ANC-supporter Roy Moodley.
It is not merely the many instances of Zuma’s self-enrichment that Pauw highlights, but the extraordinary lengths he has gone to avoid being called to account for his crimes, including gutting the State Security Agency, the police crime intelligence unit and the SA Revenue Service. The criminals within these organizations whom Zuma has suborned — some with criminal records and many lacking the qualifications or training for their jobs — have been rewarded by being allowed to loot these institutions for their own personal gain to the tune of billions of rands.
It is too early to know how big a contribution this book will make to finally bringing down Jacob Zuma, though brought down he surely will be. Alarmingly, though, Pauw’s relentless investigation shows that criminals have already invested in the President’s ex-wife, would-be next President Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, in the hope of maintaining state capture and perpetuating the current kleptocracy.
We have been warned, and if as a nation we allow this situation to continue, we will have only ourselves to blame. It is, in these circumstances, difficult to argue with philosopher-diplomat Joseph de Maistre’s observation that every nation gets the government it deserves.
South Africans owe an immense debt of gratitude to this indefatigable investigative journalist who, let it be remembered, previously ripped the lid off another can of worms to expose the evil of the Apartheid regime’s death squads in his books In the Heart of the Whore and Into the Heart of Darkness. It is be hoped that a future government, instead of harassing and persecuting him, will publicly recognise and reward him for his outstanding contributions to the nation.
Pauw has unearthed massive evidence that Zuma has wilfully and repeatedly broken every one of these pledges to the extent that he could and should be tried not only for his criminal acts but for treason. Apart from shattering his presidential oath, it appears that he has failed to fulfil his duties as an ordinary citizen by, for instance, not submitting tax returns for a number of years.
The term state capture to describe the systemic political corruption in which private interests significantly influence a state's decision-making processes to their own advantage, is now inseparably associated with the Zuma autocracy, with all the consequent damage to the country, its institutions, its parliamentary democracy, its ruling political party and the vast majority of citizens who, not being cronies of the President, have been impoverished and had their rights trampled.
The extent of Zuma’s criminality lack of ethics is well documented, coming to the notice of the general public as long ago as 2004, when it ws revealed at the trial of Schabir Shaik that he had solicited a bribe of R500 000 (about US$37 000) a year for Zuma from French defence contractor Thomson-CSF. Arguably even more astonishing, after he succeeded to the Presidency he received a “salary” or R1 million (about $75 000) a month for four months from Royal Security, a company owned by billionaire businessman and ANC-supporter Roy Moodley.
It is not merely the many instances of Zuma’s self-enrichment that Pauw highlights, but the extraordinary lengths he has gone to avoid being called to account for his crimes, including gutting the State Security Agency, the police crime intelligence unit and the SA Revenue Service. The criminals within these organizations whom Zuma has suborned — some with criminal records and many lacking the qualifications or training for their jobs — have been rewarded by being allowed to loot these institutions for their own personal gain to the tune of billions of rands.
It is too early to know how big a contribution this book will make to finally bringing down Jacob Zuma, though brought down he surely will be. Alarmingly, though, Pauw’s relentless investigation shows that criminals have already invested in the President’s ex-wife, would-be next President Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, in the hope of maintaining state capture and perpetuating the current kleptocracy.
We have been warned, and if as a nation we allow this situation to continue, we will have only ourselves to blame. It is, in these circumstances, difficult to argue with philosopher-diplomat Joseph de Maistre’s observation that every nation gets the government it deserves.
South Africans owe an immense debt of gratitude to this indefatigable investigative journalist who, let it be remembered, previously ripped the lid off another can of worms to expose the evil of the Apartheid regime’s death squads in his books In the Heart of the Whore and Into the Heart of Darkness. It is be hoped that a future government, instead of harassing and persecuting him, will publicly recognise and reward him for his outstanding contributions to the nation.
November 23, 2017
Jacques Pauw's controversial book, The President's Keepers has taken SA by storm. Not leastly because free copies of the pdf have become readily available, and the debate rages as to whether the author wanted this - the dissemination of the information being in the public interest, after all - or whether, bearing the tragic state of literary purchases in SA in mind, everyone with a conscience (and a budget) should buy the book, to support local authors and publishers. But that really isn't the point, well not the whole one, anyway.
If you get your hands on a copy of this explosive, revealing, shocking, elaborate account, you should read it post haste. It is one of those books that if you leave too late, you will read it thinking - "But did I know that before the book was published, or has someone who read it told me?" Because the chapters in here will become part of our everyday conversations, the narrative of a country captured by more than a few bad men, and so they ought to.
Read my full review here.
If you get your hands on a copy of this explosive, revealing, shocking, elaborate account, you should read it post haste. It is one of those books that if you leave too late, you will read it thinking - "But did I know that before the book was published, or has someone who read it told me?" Because the chapters in here will become part of our everyday conversations, the narrative of a country captured by more than a few bad men, and so they ought to.
Read my full review here.
June 4, 2022
In the words of Richard Poplak, “countries are no longer countries, but fiefdoms run by tiny hyper-elites, exclusively for their own benefit”. Perhaps the greatest wound that Zuma has inflicted upon our Republic is that he has buried decency and accountability under rubbish heaps of sleaze and corruption. He has made it possible for the Adriano Mazzottis of this world to don themselves in linen suits and garble sweet words and embrace the future leaders of this land. This is because the South Africa that Zuma has created has rendered sleazebags blameless, guiltless and even righteous. There are no consequences for those who evade tax or launder money or do corrupt deals.
A book that destroys the reputation of South Africa's political elites by showing how, under the Zuma leadership, they sabotaged the national fiscus via subterfuge, machinations and deception. A country that is so full of promise and potential, completely undermined by ignorance and money grabbing self serving men and women. Pauw has gone to great lengths to give as much detail as possible through evidence he gathered at great risk to himself and his sources.
A book that destroys the reputation of South Africa's political elites by showing how, under the Zuma leadership, they sabotaged the national fiscus via subterfuge, machinations and deception. A country that is so full of promise and potential, completely undermined by ignorance and money grabbing self serving men and women. Pauw has gone to great lengths to give as much detail as possible through evidence he gathered at great risk to himself and his sources.
December 30, 2017
Jacques Pauw has done an excellent job of describing how numerous corrupt officials spin a web of protection around president Zuma. Well written and easy to follow (considering the numerous names of people involved) it provides a clear picture into how seemingly disparate people and events link up to further the capture of the South African state.
Pauw has gone to great effort to not only highlight the captured, but also illuminate those who fight and have faught against Zuma's axis of evil.
Pauw has gone to great effort to not only highlight the captured, but also illuminate those who fight and have faught against Zuma's axis of evil.
February 11, 2018
I enjoyed it because of the content, and Pauw had some entertaining turns of phrase occasionally, but overall it lacked narrative. It felt like too many stories were shoe-horned into the book and as a result the individual stories lacked identity and it ended up being a gumbo without any distinctive flavours.
I would still recommend the book as the content beggars belief.
I would still recommend the book as the content beggars belief.
April 29, 2018
A shitist with no story, little literary value but piles of information for further investigation and prosecution. Good timing though: Zuma is out and on trial, let’s hope the system isn’t going to re-invent itself around new Zumas.
November 12, 2017
Damning evidence of the incredible capture by Zuma and his cronies. Well written, easily readable and well documented.
December 7, 2017
An ambitious and thrilling expose of South Africa's political underworld, naming and shaming those responsible for the highest levels of corruption in the country.
While slim on policy, that isn't this books purpose. It serves as an investigation into the patrimonial networks and relationships between organised crime and government in South Africa.
A daunting task that Jacques Pauw has succeeded in fulfilling.
While slim on policy, that isn't this books purpose. It serves as an investigation into the patrimonial networks and relationships between organised crime and government in South Africa.
A daunting task that Jacques Pauw has succeeded in fulfilling.
January 29, 2018
just brilliant.
so brilliant.
incredibly well written.
so brilliant.
incredibly well written.
December 1, 2024
Als je wilt begrijpen hoe corruptie geïnstitutionaliseerd kan worden.
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