MY SECOND INITIATION, the memoir of Vusi Pikoli

375 pp., colour illus., paperback, Johannesburg, 2013

Advocate Vusi Pikoli was National Director of Public Prosecutions from 2005 to 2007. He pursued criminal charges against Jacob Zuma and the convicted former National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi. In 2008 he was suspended from his duties by then President Thabo Mbeki, and subsequently fired, amidst great controversy. Frene Ginwala led a commission of inquiry into his suspension. In November 2009 the government reached a R7.5 million out-of-court settlement with Pikoli to stop his legal bid for reinstatement. In this memoir Pikoli offers his perspective on a number of prominent cases, such as the Arms Deal, the Scorpions, the murder of Brett Kebble, Travelgate, and the hoax e-mail saga.

"A painful, but revealing book about a man who was fired for doing the right thing. Vusi Pikoli is a hero of South Africa's new struggle." Adriaan Basson, columnist, City Press

"An account that is as bold, honest and truthful as it is painful and discomforting. Vusi Pikoli is a person of unquestionable integrity, for which South Africa will be eternally grateful." Barney Pityana