Party’s national disciplinary committee says the former MK member’s errant behaviour unlikely to change
12 December 2022 - 16:49
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Carl Niehaus briefing the media outside former president Jacob Zuma's house in Nkandla last year. He has been expelled from the ANC for comments he made at this briefing which were found to have brought the ANC into disrepute. File photo: SANDILE NDLOVU
The ANC national disciplinary committee (NDC) has expelled former ANC spokesperson Carl Niehaus after a disciplinary hearing where he “failed to show remorse”.
The ex-Umkhonto we Sizwe member was charged with six counts of misconduct and “foreign” ANC behaviour, after public remarks he made during and after the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma last year for contempt of court for refusing to appear at the Zondo commission of inquiry.
According to the NDC, it was unlikely Niehaus could be rehabilitated, hence the harsh sentence of expulsion.
The charges included comments he made on July 2 2021 at KwaDakwadunuse, Nkandla, outside Zuma’s home.
Niehaus had told media live on national TV that “the ruling of the Constitutional Court is a travesty of justice. President Zuma’s legal problems were caused by political factionalism and shenanigans between state authorities, especially the NPA and some politicians within the ANC”.
Two days later, Niehaus made further public statements, saying “no-one can let Msholozi go to jail, never”.
On June 29, Niehaus attacked the judiciary, saying “our courts have clearly been captured. We are living in a dictatorship of the judiciary and the courts have become a tool for factional political battles to target certain politicians, while others are let off the hook”.
The NDC found Niehaus’s behaviour to have brought the ANC into disrepute and his lack of remorse did not do him any favours.
“The NDC is of the view that the charges for which the member has been found guilty are very serious. As such, the member’s plea that he be sanctioned with a reprimand, if found guilty, is wholly inappropriate.
“The member showed no remorse and persisted with his view that the ANC was acting in violation of its constitution and his rights by disciplining him,” the NDC said.
“The NDC is of the view that the interests and integrity of the organisation warrant protection and the interests of the individual member is subservient to the interests of the organisation.
“Niehaus is expelled from the ANC.”
Niehaus said on Monday he had already appealed the decision..
In his notice of appeal, Niehaus’s legal papers state he will present the grounds of appeal within seven days.
Niehaus said he had received a phone call from Supra Mahumapelo informing him about his expulsion.
”
In this live YouTube I respond in legitimate anger to my expulsion from the ANC NDC, and state that I will appeal the decision and fight it to the hilt! https://t.co/CexzZwL4qM
Niehaus is the third member of the ANC’s so-called RET faction to suffer a devastating political blow, after Bathabile Dlamini and Tony Yengeni were disqualified from standing for NEC re-election in the December 16-20 national conference owing to their past criminal convictions.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Carl Niehaus expelled from ANC
Party’s national disciplinary committee says the former MK member’s errant behaviour unlikely to change
The ANC national disciplinary committee (NDC) has expelled former ANC spokesperson Carl Niehaus after a disciplinary hearing where he “failed to show remorse”.
The ex-Umkhonto we Sizwe member was charged with six counts of misconduct and “foreign” ANC behaviour, after public remarks he made during and after the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma last year for contempt of court for refusing to appear at the Zondo commission of inquiry.
According to the NDC, it was unlikely Niehaus could be rehabilitated, hence the harsh sentence of expulsion.
The charges included comments he made on July 2 2021 at KwaDakwadunuse, Nkandla, outside Zuma’s home.
Niehaus had told media live on national TV that “the ruling of the Constitutional Court is a travesty of justice. President Zuma’s legal problems were caused by political factionalism and shenanigans between state authorities, especially the NPA and some politicians within the ANC”.
Two days later, Niehaus made further public statements, saying “no-one can let Msholozi go to jail, never”.
On June 29, Niehaus attacked the judiciary, saying “our courts have clearly been captured. We are living in a dictatorship of the judiciary and the courts have become a tool for factional political battles to target certain politicians, while others are let off the hook”.
The NDC found Niehaus’s behaviour to have brought the ANC into disrepute and his lack of remorse did not do him any favours.
“The NDC is of the view that the charges for which the member has been found guilty are very serious. As such, the member’s plea that he be sanctioned with a reprimand, if found guilty, is wholly inappropriate.
“The member showed no remorse and persisted with his view that the ANC was acting in violation of its constitution and his rights by disciplining him,” the NDC said.
“The NDC is of the view that the interests and integrity of the organisation warrant protection and the interests of the individual member is subservient to the interests of the organisation.
“Niehaus is expelled from the ANC.”
Niehaus said on Monday he had already appealed the decision..
In his notice of appeal, Niehaus’s legal papers state he will present the grounds of appeal within seven days.
Niehaus said he had received a phone call from Supra Mahumapelo informing him about his expulsion.
”
Niehaus is the third member of the ANC’s so-called RET faction to suffer a devastating political blow, after Bathabile Dlamini and Tony Yengeni were disqualified from standing for NEC re-election in the December 16-20 national conference owing to their past criminal convictions.
TimesLIVE
A simple guide to the ANC national congress
LISTEN | ANC conference — here is what you need to know
Zweli Mkhize decries ANC’s handling of Phala Phala report
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.
Most Read
Related Articles
TOM EATON: To not resign or to not resign, there’s the rub for the ANC
Phala Phala: Ramaphosa’s detractors call for his head
Jacob Zuma continues to walk among the people
A bad week for Carl Niehaus
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.