Carl Niehaus to open attempted murder case against Twitter user

Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association (MKMVA) spokesperson Carl Niehaus will open a case of attempted murder and incitement to cause serious bodily harm at the Sandton Police Station on Thursday.

This follows a tweet from a Twitter account that allegedly tweeted in Afrikaans: “You fucking traitor. I should have shot you dead in Angola!!! Your day is close!!!”

“The words ‘your day is close’, combined with sentiments that the Twitter user expresses that he should have shot comrade Niehaus dead in Angola, cannot be construed as anything else but a very serious threat.”

In a statement, the MKMVA said Niehaus had recently been receiving threats on social media.

“Many of these messages are racist and use vulgar and abusive language. It is very disturbing that these abusive messages also do not shy away from attacking his children,” said MKMVA president Kebby Maphatsoe.

Other social media users allegedly called for Niehaus’ eyes to be gouged out and his throat cut, commenting on a story about him calling for the implementation of the resolutions of the 54th National Conference of the ANC.

Maphatsoe also slammed ANC comrades for attacking Niehaus and spreading fake news and lies about him and accused them of contributing to the “poisoned atmosphere”.

“We have no doubt that these comrades have contributed to the poisoned atmosphere, and must now take co-responsibility for the threats to comrade Niehaus’ safety, and if there is ever an instance where he, or his family, as a consequence suffers any harm.

“The National Office Bearers of MKMVA have advised comrade Niehaus to urgently open a case against Mr Jacob Neetling for attempted murder and incitement to cause serious bodily harm, Comrade Niehaus has accepted our comradely advice, and will in the course of today open such a case, or cases, at the Sandton Police Station.

(Compiled by Vhahangwele Nemakonde)

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.