At least three-quarters of the letter Carl Niehaus published on Thursday 14 January, was a reflection on a frightening experience with Covid-19.
Carl Niehaus suspended by ANC
However, for the ANC, an impassioned statement about Deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte was enough to institute disciplinary measures against the party’s most loyal member.
“I am saddened that even the Deputy Secretary-General of the ANC, comrade Jessie Duarte, saw it fit to attack me, and undermine my long history as a 42 year veteran of the ANC in good standing, as well as my elected position as an NEC member of MKMVA, and MKMVA National Spokesperson. This she did, knowing that when she was doing so, I was gravely ill. It was unnecessary and callous – I am deeply saddened by it,” Niehaus wrote.
In a leaked letter, ANC general manager Febe Potgieter-Gqubule informed Niehaus of the party’s decision to place him on suspension. The MKMVA national spokesperson has 48 hours to furnish a response.
Ace Magashule turns his back on Niehaus
In his letter, Niehaus revealed that he had suffered from a severe case of Covid-19.
“I ended up in Milpark Hospital ICU, where I was fighting for my life,” he wrote.
During this period, Niehaus recognised the support of his family, friends and fellow comrade Ace Magashule who provided “support, friendship and comradeship.”
These sentiments, however, were not shared by the ANC’s secretary general. Magashule, in a statement, branded Niehaus’ letter as a reckless object of disunity.
“I have observed, with concern, that you are involved in activities that create the impression that you act on instructions from me. I wish to distance myself from your remarks regarding the NEC in which I am a member,” Magashule said.
Discarded by his own party — let alone a confidant — Niehaus is expected to submit a response to the ANC by Thursday, 21 January.
The ANC expected Niehaus to motivate why the party shouldn’t institute the suspension. Niehaus had, at the time this article was published, indicated that he had no comments on the subject.
