Suspended ANC senior member Carl Niehaus will join his idol former president Jacob Zuma behind bars after he was placed under arrest in full view of the media on Thursday.
Why was Carl Niehaus arrested?
Niehaus, in his decommissioned capacity, has still been on the frontlines in support of Zuma who, on Wednesday evening, was ushered to the Estcourt Correctional Services facility to commence his 15-month jail term for being in contempt of court.
On Thursday, the former spokesperson of the disbanded MKMVA militia defied the ANC’s instructions to steer clear from political gatherings and surfaced outside of Estcourt prison to show his support to Nxamalala.
Except, his address to the media was cut short by police officers who placed him in handcuffs and escorted him to a nearby precinct.
At this time, it remains unclear on what grounds Niehaus was arrested and right now, it remains to be confirmed if he will face any charges.
Here’s footage of the arrest that’s since gone viral on social media:
JUST IN: #ZumaArrest has now also become #NiehausArrest after the suspended ANC member and MKMVA spokesperson was arrested outside Estcourt prison just moments ago. pic.twitter.com/VUyCefOXcz
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 8, 2021
Is this the last straw for Niehaus?
The suspended ANC leader faces the possibility of being permanently ex-communicated by his party. In a letter sent to Niehaus, informing him of the temporary suspension, Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte noted that the ANC was well aware of the fact that despite the pro-Zuma factionalist would “likely continue with [his] acts of misconduct and cause further damage to the good name and reputation of the ANC.”
Niehaus’ suspension will be tabled in a hearing presided by the party’s National Disciplinary Committee. However, from what we understand, the former MKMVA spokesperson is deadset on challenging his axing in court.