ANC to suspend Carl Niehaus for ‘attack’ on Jessie Duarte

The African National Congress (ANC) could soon suspend Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) spokesperson Carl Niehaus from his job at Luthuli House, following comments he made about the party’s deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte.

In a letter to Niehaus, who’s been working in ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule’s office since March 2019, the party’s Febe Potgieter-Gqubule said the MKMVA veteran had “crossed all boundaries.”

“You have been advised, on more than one occasion, that your public statements and social media posts, are unbecoming of someone working in this high office, which has the primary responsibility of driving and coordinating the work of all structures of the ANC. You also received a written warning to this effect, on 12 October 2019,”

ANC General Manager Febe Potgieter-Gqubule

‘Jessie Duarte attacked me’ – Niehaus

The notice to suspend Niehaus from the ANC comes less than a week after he had accused Duarte of publicly bashing him in the media.

“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 said.

It is not yet clear what exactly Niehaus is referring to, however some of his part remarks, many made in defence of Magashule, of which he is a fierce supporter, have prompted Duarte to condemn him on several occasions.

Potgieter-Gqubule said Niehaus’ comments on Duarte were in violation of the ANC Personnel Policy Manual.

“ANC staff members are expected to abide by the discipline of the organisation, and personal attacks by a member of staff on elected leadership – without even attempting to address the matter internally – is unprofessional, is not tolerated and is in violation of the Manual,” she said.

Niehaus has now been given 48 hours to explain why he should not be suspended on full pay, pending the institution of disciplinary action against him for misconduct.