AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

SECRETARY’S GENERAL OFFICE

Chief Albert Luthuli House 54 Pixley Seme Street Johannesburg 2001 PO Box 61884 Marshalltown 2107 RSA
Tel: 27.11.376.1000 Website: www.anc1912.org.za GENERAL MANAGER: Email: fpotgieter@anc1912.org.za Cell: 074 182 3887

19 January 2021
Cde Carl Niehaus
Employee 4000, Office of the Secretary General
Luthuli House, Johannesburg

Dear Cde Carl

Re: NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SUSPEND YOU PENDING DISCIPLINARY ACTION

You have been employed in the Secretary General’s Office since 1 March 2019, to give direct support
to the work of the Secretary General.

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. Kindly respond in writing to me on
email address - fpotgieter@anc1912.org.za

We regret that you have also been battling with Covid 19 and wish you a speedy recovery.
Employees have the right not to communicate their medical conditions, but its rather unfortunate
that the first we hear about it is in a media statement. We wish you a continued speedy recovery,
and do let me know if we can be of any assistance.

Yours in the Struggle

FC Potgieter-Gqubule
ANC GENERAL MANAGER

cc. Secretary General, cde ES Magashule

Chris Ackeer, Justice Pitso, SGO
Elizabeth Taunyane, HR Manager

President: CM Ramaphosa, Deputy President: DD Mabuza, National Chairperson: G Mantashe, Secretary General: ES Magashule,
Deputy Secretary General: J Duarte, Treasurer-General: P Mashatile
PERSONAL STATEMENT BY CARL NIEHAUS ABOUT HIS ONGOING RECOVERY FROM COVID-19
PNEUMONIA

Date: Thursday, 14 January 2021

The past two weeks I have been very ill with COVID-19. After I have tested positive for COVID-19, I developed
full-blown COVID-19 pneumonia and had to be urgently hospitalized. I ended up in Milpark Hospital ICU, where I
was fighting for my life. I am deeply grateful for the professionalism and commitment of the doctors and staff
there, and the treatment that I have received. They have saved my life.

I was able to experience in person the hard work, at great personal risk and sacrifice, that health care workers
make every day. They are the true heroes of this terrible pandemic.

I have taken a deliberate personal decision not to make it public at the time when I was very ill with COVID-19. I
preferred to deal with my illness in private. I did so because I realized that there are those in our society who
would in hatred have celebrated my illness, and even wanted me to die. At the time when I was gravely ill I did
not want to deal with such viciousness. Now that I am on the road to recovery, I can end my silence.

It is sad that some in our society have become so hate-filled, and vicious, that one cannot even hope at a time of
grave illness, for support and sympathy. During the time while I was fighting for my life I was deliberately targeted
by a well-coordinated aggressive propaganda smear campaign against me in the Daily Maverick, Mail &
Guardian, City Press, e-NCA and other WMC media. These attacks are still continuing unabated.

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.

I have none the less survived by the Grace of God. This challenging time is a watershed moment for me. Life is
fragile and precious. Even more than before I will treasure and enjoy every moment, and live a life of commitment
and dedication to my ideals, without any compromise. I will continue to speak my mind as a loyal member of the
ANC, regardless of the personal pain, callousness, and terrible consequences, that even some comrades inflict
on one.

I thank my two daughters, Helen and Khanya, my close family, my partner, and true comrades, for the love and
support that they have given me - and continue to give me - during this most difficult time. I am also very grateful
for the support, friendship and comradeship, that I have received from the Secretary General of the ANC,
comrade Ace Magashule.

The severity of the COVID-19 pneumonia, that I am still recovering from, damaged my lung capacity, and I am
still dependent on oxygen. I am faced with a prolonged period of convalescence, but I am hopeful that by the
Grace of God, and with the support of true friends and comrades, I will prevail and eventually fully recover.

Like many other South Africans I have lost close friends and comrades to COVID-19. Their departure leave a
deep void. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all their loved ones.

My prayers also go out to all who are still fighting for their lives, and I wish them every strength, and full and
speedy recoveries.

I call on all my fellow South Africans to please protect yourselves, and to abide by all the measures that have
been put in place to save lives.

My God protect us all.

Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika

Issued by Carl Niehaus in his personal capacity.

For further information Carl can be contacted on: 081 881 940