By: Staff Reporter
The African National Congress has fired Carl Niehaus two hours after informing the organisation that it would be illegal to do so.
Africa News Global has seen the letter sent to Niehaus by General Manager Febé Potgieter. In it, she acknowledged receipt of his letter in response to why the ANC should not summarily dismiss him as an employee and terminate his employment contract.
“We have noted your response, and it is unfortunate that instead of taking the opportunity to clarify the allegations, you elected to construe the letter as an attack upon you. You are reminded that the letter constituted a hearing as envisaged in the principles of natural justice – audi alteram partem. You are entitled to your views as expressed in your response,” Potgieter said.
“The ANC disagrees with your view and will challenge that contention in any appropriate forum. Your written representations have been considered against the backdrop that the ANC has repeatedly warned you about your public pronouncements and conduct, which sought to undermine it as your employer.”
The ANC said Niehaus has persisted with conduct that continuously brought the organisation into disrepute. Potgieter reminded Niehaus that he was served with written warnings on 12 October 2020 and 19 January 2021 “for behaviour which demonstrated your total disregard, refusal and neglect to comply with the terms of your employment agreement with the ANC.”
The fight between the two parties stems from Niehaus’s statement inviting the media to witness AC staff members laying charges against the top six for failing to pay UIF contributions. He subsequently put that on hold to allow management and staff to engage on issues and resolve the salary challenges that have gripped the organisation.
Potgieter described Niehaus’s actions as “deliberate acts of misconduct and malice which are intended to tarnish the image of your employer and bring your employer into disrepute.”
“It is worth noting that in your representations under consideration, you have not distanced yourself from the Media Alert you issued and which you were invited to do,” she said.
Niehaus was accused of failing to provide any cogent reasons for the ANC to arrive at any conclusion other than that the employment relationship had completely and irretrievably broken down.
“Accordingly, this letter serves as notice of your summary dismissal as an employee of the ANC. You can collect your personal belongings from ANC security at Luthuli House tomorrow between 10h00 and 11h00. You have the right to appeal your dismissal within 7 (seven) working days from the date of this letter by filing a Notice of Appeal and concisely setting out the grounds of the appeal,” Potgieter said.
