Cape Town – Social media has reacted to the expulsion of former uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans’ Association spokesperson Carl Niehaus from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) for allegedly bringing the party into disrepute.
His expulsion from the party came after the ANC’s national disciplinary committee (NDC) found him guilty of six charges of misconduct for contravening Rule 25 of the party’s constitution.
According to TimesLIVE, Niehaus was charged with six counts of misconduct and “foreign” ANC behaviour after he had made public remarks surrounding the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma last year. This was after Zuma refused to appear at the Zondo commission of inquiry.
He was then dismissed as a Luthuli House employee and has now been expelled from the ruling party, the report said.
Niehaus himself confirmed in a media statement posted on YouTube, saying: “I received a call from comrade Supra Mahumapelo saying that there is a statement doing the rounds saying I have been expelled from the ANC.
“I have not received that letter personally. This letter was simply sent out into the public domain by that kangaroo court that calls itself the ANC national disciplinary committee.
“It is highly unacceptable that a person who is directly affected as I am by such a ridiculous decision by the national disciplinary committee must hear about this on social media, and there is not even the most basic decency to first ensure that I am informed about this vindictive decision of the committee.
“Under the circumstances, I will have no other option but to immediately appeal this ridiculous and vindictive sentence… This is not the ANC I know.”
Times Live reported that the ANC national disciplinary committee was unlikely to rehabilitate Niehaus due to the harsh sentence of expulsion.
Niehaus took to Twitter on Monday to say that he remained a full member of the ANC after he appealed against the decision.
“I have already appealed the travesty of justice of my illegal expulsion by the ANC national disciplinary committee (NDC). Because I have appealed the farcical expulsion is suspended. I remain a full member of the ANC,” he said.
I have already appealed the travesty of justice of my illegal expulsion by the ANC National Disciplinary Committee (NDC). Because I have appealed the farcical expulsion is suspended. I remain a full member of @MYANC.
A LUTA CONTINUA! ✊? pic.twitter.com/vlPvXQ0HCU
— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) December 12, 2022
Take a look at some of the reactions on Twitter:
Shame man, start your own party
— Mia vhasidzana (@phathus) December 12, 2022
When they say a person is a fighter…
The guy really loves this country, a true revolutionary.Carl Niehaus.??? pic.twitter.com/f62dibDE7j
— Qobolwakhe (@QoboD88302519) December 13, 2022
#CarlNiehaus can join the #EFF there is plenty of seas in/for the fish.
— Sibo Maputi (@SiboMaputi) December 12, 2022
Carl Niehaus greeting delegates going to @MYANC Congress ???????
Ncaaaaa expulsion emntaneni ?? pic.twitter.com/A07whau26g
— #TheUncapturedActivist ✊? (@AneleMda) December 12, 2022
Or you could just consider retirement, travel a bit…. i head India is nice at this time of the year. There is also a bnb in Nkandla with a nice pool pic.twitter.com/XUWFLC5fYa
— Jayza Thabo?? (@thabo_tyh) December 12, 2022
Mr Malema will welcome you…
try knocking at his door— Schwarzenegger Chauke (@eliotchauke1) December 12, 2022
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
