Carl Niehaus in elaborate hoax to wriggle out of paying a R4.3-million debt
Disgraced political spin doctor Carl Niehaus "killed off" his mother in an elaborate hoax to wriggle out of paying a R4.3-million debt. Niehaus owed the money to a former landlord for the rental of two apartments in Sandton, damage to expensive furnishings and artwork, unpaid concierge charges and interest. In an audacious bid to avoid legal action, he claimed that his mother had died and he would soon receive a generous inheritance, 90% of which would allow him to settle the debt. His mother, Magrietha Niehaus, 88, is in fact alive and living in a home for the elderly in Johannesburg, other Niehaus family members said. Niehaus, who lately re-emerged from the shadows of financial scandal to become a vocal campaigner for ANC presidential hopeful Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has a history of lies and bad debt. He is also a proponent of Dlamini-Zuma's radical economic transformation policy, and yesterday he was on stage at a "victory rally" for her in Durban. Read the full Sunday Times stor...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.