Niehaus calls for immediate dismissal: “Hanekom is a despicable traitor”

Derek Hanekom has been labelled as a “despicable traitor” of the African National Congress (ANC), by spokesperson of the Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA), Carl Niehaus.

Hanekom, who was singled out by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, for conspiring against Jacob Zuma during the political factionalism which eventually led to the ousting of the former president. Furthermore, Malema alleges that Hanekom provided the EFF with a list of names of party members who were involved in the subversive political conspiracy.

The EFF also claims that Hanekom vowed to break away from the ANC if his preferred presidential candidate, Cyril Ramaphosa, lost the electoral race to Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Hanekom admitted to that he had met with EFF Secretary General Godrich Gardee on a number of occasions but vehemently denied supplying the Red Berets with a list of ANC defectors or the promise of a breakaway party.

ANC, Zuma gun for Derek Hanekom

The ANC, however, reacted harshly to the admission which was made earlier this week. In a statement, penned by General Secretary of the ruling party, Ace Magashule, Hanekom is branded as a turncoat, a charlatan and a wedge-driver.

Former president Zuma, himself, lambasted the Hanekom, the former minister of Tourism, for being involved in his political downfall. Earlier on Thursday, Zuma said:

“I’m not surprised by Julius Malema’s revelations regarding Derek Hanekom. It is part of the plan I mentioned at the Zondo Commission. Derek Hanekom is a known enemy agent.”

Carl Niehaus shows no mercy

#MKMVA calls for the immediate expulsion of @Derek_Hanekom from @MYANC, and says Hanekom must go. pic.twitter.com/G0Nu26hy12

— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) July 25, 2019

What more evidence is required of @Derek_Hanekom's treachery? As @PresJGZuma tweeted, this man is an enemy agent. He must just go! pic.twitter.com/hflmUGsaE0

— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) July 25, 2019

Niehaus, who has a colourful history of social public battles with Hanekom, naturally, took the opportunity to dig the proverbial knife in. The two ANC members have previously traded fierce jabs on social media, with Hanekom referring to Niehaus as a ‘fraudster’.

Niehaus, who has been a loyal support of former president Zuma – attending almost all his public appearances – took to Twitter to call for the immediate dismal of Hanekom, coupled with revocation of the former NEC member’s ANC membership. Niehaus said:

“The Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) noted with anger and the utmost dismay the despicable and treacherous behaviour that Mr. Derek Hanekom confessed to. The harsh reality is that he plotted against an incumbent president of the ANC together with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

MKMVA calls for the Secretary General of the ANC, comrade Ace Magashule, and the National Office Bearers of the ANC to forthwith (and we do mean IMMEDIATELY) suspend Hanekom’s membership of the ANC.”

Niehaus added that, while serving his suspension, Hanekom should be formally dismissed from the organisation when the ANC’s NEC meeting takes place this coming weekend.