AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
CARL NIEHAUS, a controversial ANC veteran and an employee in the secretary-general’s office, faces suspension and disciplinary action for publicly attacking one of his bosses, Jessie Duarte, the ANC deputy secretary-general.
The ANC has served Niehaus with a letter detailing its intention to suspend him, pending disciplinary action, for his attack on Duarte.
Niehaus has been given 48 hours to motivate why he should not be suspended.
The ANC’s intention was delivered by Febe Potgieter-Gqubule, its general manager.
In the publicly available letter, Potgieter-Gqubule said Niehaus’ attack on Duarte crossed all the 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.
“The latest statement titled “Personal Statement by Carl Niehaus about his ongoing Recovery from Covid-19 Pneumonia” dated Thursday 14 January 2021 (attached), crosses all boundaries expected from an ANC employee, and particularly someone of your seniority. In particular, the personal attack on the ANC Deputy Secretary General in this statement is a serious 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.
“You are therefore requested to show cause within 48 hours of receipt of this letter (which is transmitted to you electronically) why you should not be suspended on full pay, pending the institution of disciplinary action against you for misconduct,” Potgieter-Gqubule wrote.
In the letter that got him in trouble, Niehaus said: “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 is a national spokesperson for the ANC Umkhonto we Sizwe Veterans Association and a known supporter of ANC former ANC president Jacob Zuma.
