Niehaus and a small group of protesters demonstrating outside Parliament on 13 December 2022. Photo: Screengrab
Former spokesperson of suspended uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veteran’s Association (MKMVA) Carl Niehaus has made a fuss about being removed from the parliamentary precinct by police on Tuesday.
He said the incident was “thuggery”, and accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of being a “dictator.”
Niehaus and a small group of anti-Ramaphosa protesters donning ANC regalia were demanding that Parliament vote in favour of the adoption of the Section 89 panel report on the Phala Phala farm saga, and called for his impeachment.
While the house was locked in a heated debate over the report that found Ramaphosa may have breached the Constitution and broken anti-corruption laws, Niehaus and his supporters clashed with police outside.
The vote ended with the majority of members voting against it. 214 MPs voted ‘no’, 148 ‘yes’, and two abstained from the count.
Baring a placard with the words “Ramaphosa must go”, Niehaus was not a happy man when he was forcibly removed from the parliamentary precinct.
“Removing myself and other MKMVA comrades who were peacefully picketing for the adoption of the Report of the Independent Panel. The pro-Ramaphosa supporters were not attacked at all! “
“We’re living in a dictatorship!” he tweeted.
Niehaus also commended those who stood by him during the picket.
ALSO READ: ‘I will not accept it’: ‘Angry’ Niehaus vows to fight his expulsion from the ANC
“I salute these courageous cadres who picketed peacefully with me in front of Parliament, demanding that the Report of the Independent Panel must be adopted and that Ramaphosa Must Go! They were viciously attacked by police of the dictator Cyril Ramaphosa, but remained resolute.”
Niehaus was on Monday expelled by the ANC national disciplinary committee (NDC).
Niehaus faced six charges of misconduct in relation to comments he made in the lead-up to the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma last year.
The ANC accused him of bringing the party into disrepute.
Carl Niehaus said he had instructed his legal representatives to appeal a decision by the ANC NDC.
He said the NDC’s letter was disrespectful and unconstitutional.
“I’ve instructed [ANC veteran] Mathews Phosa that he must immediately file an appeal. I am very angry and I’m going to fight this to the hilt. It’s unacceptable. I will not accept it. I’m still a member of the ANC.”
Niehaus‘ expulsion comes days before the ANC’s 55th national elective conference in Nasrec, which starts on 16 December.
ALSO READ: Niehaus claims Ramaphosa rented a ‘crowd of thugs’ and paid them in food to ‘attack’ him
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