Niehaus makes EFF candidate list, looks set to return to Parliament
Mzwanele Manyi the Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson and impeached Public Protector Busiswe Mkhwebane joined the fighters’ months before Niehaus and were both deployed to the National Assembly.
FILE: Carl Niehaus has joined the Economic Freedom Fighters. Picture: @niehaus_carl/X
JOHANNESBURG - Former African National Congress (ANC) veteran and Jacob Zuma loyalist, Carl Niehaus, seems set for Parliament on an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) ticket.
Niehaus is number 27 on the red beret’s candidate list.
He took up membership with the EFF in December.
Mzwanele Manyi, the Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson, and impeached former Public Protector, Busiswe Mkhwebane, joined the EFF months before Niehaus and were both deployed to the National Assembly.
The Electoral Commission made public lists with names of independents and political party candidates for inspection and objections.
Niehaus seems set to make a return to Parliament where he first served in 1996. The only difference? Then he was an ANC member and this time around he's likely to go on an EFF ticket.
He's placed high on the party's candidate list, with several insiders telling Eyewitness News it's not surprising, as they recall how much attention the party has given Niehaus since he joined.
This includes appearing on its podcast and conducting interviews on behalf of the organisation despite not holding any leadership positions.
The EFF's candidate list guidelines say demographic representation and inclusivity are crucial, with a desire to have Indian, Asian and white communities from the working-class background included.
Niehaus ditched his own outfit ARETA, which he established after being expelled by the ANC to join the red berets.
He's also refused to be associated with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party currently being backed by his once key ally, former President Jacob Zuma.