Former spokesperson of the ANC’s disbanded military wing, Umkhonto Wesizwe (MKMVA), Carl Niehaus, claims the ruling party is censoring comrades from practicing freedom of speech.
Carl Niehaus blasts ANC ‘censorship’
Not long after Niehaus’ ANC membership was reinstated, he continued on his anti-Cyril Ramaphosa rhetoric but, perhaps, this time, the former spokesperson treaded on unchartered territory when he used the party’s logo on material campaigning for the president’s axing.
In a letter from the secretary-general’s office, Niehaus was instructed to remove the ANC logo from his WhatsApp profile picture, since it is understood that “party property cannot be appropriated for personal use.”
“We have therefore been instructed to kindly request that you remove the ANC logo from your personal communication platforms with immediate effect and inform this office that you have done so,” wrote Jessie Duarte.
In response, Niehaus fanned flames even further by covering the ANC logo on his profile picture with a notice that reads, “censored! ANC logo removed under instruction of ANC officials.”
Censorship by @MYANC Officials instructing me to remove the #ANCLogo from my WhatsApp profile pic, and my response thereto. pic.twitter.com/K17i8pbuSR
— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) November 8, 2021
Niehaus doubled-down on his outright disapproval of Ramaphosa by pinning the party’s dismal performance at the 2021 local government elections on the ANC leader.
“All of this pettiness, together with the dismal performance of [the ANC] in the elections only confirm once again that Ramaphosa must go!” he exclaimed.
From what we understand, Niehaus has not faced disciplinary action for his indiscretion.
