[imagesouce: Doctor Ngcobo / African News Agency]

I guess this is what happens when Carl Niehaus forgets to wear his usual military garb.

The arrest of the man who maintains he is the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) spokesperson, even though that organisation has been officially disbanded by the ANC, was a long time coming.

For days, Niehaus has been swanning around outside Nkandla, talking of putting his body on the line to defend former president, and current inmate, Jacob Zuma.

Any story involving Niehaus must come with the obligatory mention that he lied about his mother dying in order to get out of paying a debt.

He was also caught out in a similar scam in 2011 involving his father. He was tangled up in debt, and attempted to borrow money that he said was to cover funeral expenses for his father.

His father was still alive.

That’s the calibre of person we’re dealing with.

In fact, he’s such a lowlife that even the ANC have distanced themselves, with the party suspending his membership for ignoring its directive to disband the MKMVA, and for his statements at Nkandla.

Niehaus also repeatedly broke COVID-19 lockdown regulations outside Zuma’s homestead, before moving operations to Estcourt Correctional Centre, where he addressed the media yesterday.

It was during an interview with SABC News, being broadcast live at the time, that he was arrested:

Suspended Carl arrested live on air mid interview. #BreakingNews #CarlNiehaus pic.twitter.com/XdUTnc9ehl

— Bongani (@Bongani_Cel) July 8, 2021

I doff my cap to law enforcement for the timing of that one.

The frogmarch, and into the waiting vehicle:

Suspended ANC member Carl Niehaus has been arrested outside the Estcourt prison where #JacobZuma is being held. He was addressing supporters when police moved in to break up the illegal gathering. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/vwqTZUEevd

— Dasen Thathiah (@DasenThathiah) July 8, 2021

Defiant and suspended MK Vets member Carl Niehaus is arrested outside the Escourt Correctional Centre for contravening lockdown regulations around gatherings. #JacobZuma #Bheki #ARRESTZUMA #Nkandla pic.twitter.com/B7vp4bqVIq

— ECR_Newswatch (@ECR_Newswatch) July 8, 2021

Business Day reports that he was taken to Estcourt police station, and issued with a R3 000 fine for breaking lockdown regulations.

According to police spokesman, Brigadier Vish Naidoo, he is expected to pay the fine, or appear in the Escourt Magistrate’s Court:

“The 61-year-old man is alleged to to have convened a gathering of approximately 100 people outside the Escourt prison at about 4pm this [Thursday] afternoon,” Naidoo said, adding that the Disaster Management Act clearly stipulates such gatherings are not allowed except for funerals.

Under regulations for the adjusted level 4 lockdown, no more than 50 people can attend a funeral.

“The suspect was initially warned about the gathering and was subsequently arrested after ignoring the warning,” he said.

Niehaus may also face charges in terms of the disaster management regulations.

After being released, he took to Twitter:

*ALUTA CONTINUA- THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES!*

I have been released (around 8pm) from Escourt Police station. I have been charged, and must appear in court on the 8th of August 2021.
My utmost gratitude to all my comrades for your support. From the bottom of his heart, “thank you!.”

— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) July 8, 2021

Contrary to what some in the ANC believe, ‘Aluta Continua’ doesn’t mean ‘let the looting continue’.

The Jacob Zuma Foundation, after vowing to take some time to “reflect on the tragedy that has just happened”, also returned to Twitter:

This is where H.E President Zuma, a 79 year old grandfather is imprisoned without trial.
The country is sliding back to Apartheid days.
Very sad#WenzenuZuma pic.twitter.com/0QbSnBOHgo

— JGZuma Foundation (Official) (@JGZ_Foundation) July 8, 2021

Day two of Jacob in the slammer.

Here’s to many more.

[source:busday]