Suspended former ANC Military Veterans Association spokesperson Carl Niehaus is the butt of social media jokes after some accused him of renting a crowd to stage a protest in support of suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
Niehaus picketed outside the Constitutional Court on Thursday in support of Mkhwebane when the court heard applications to appeal the Western Cape High Court’s decision declaring her suspension invalid.
The court heard three consolidated applications on the matter, including leave to appeal brought by the DA and the president against the high court order.
Mkhwebane also brought an urgent application for leave to appeal an October high court ruling rejecting her bid to immediately return to work.
Niehaus said his protest outside the ConCourt was a “clarion call to support our public protector in her fight with the white establishment, imperialism, oppressors and those against the poor and marginalised”.
I will be joining this picket outside the Constitutional Court TODAY, Thursday 24 November, at 09:30 in support of our #PublicProtector, @AdvBMkhwebane. I urge other concerned citizens to do the same! pic.twitter.com/PEyNqFGdKC
— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) November 24, 2022
He urged other “concerned citizens” to do the same.
“Advocate Mkhwebane against the DA and Cyril Ramaphosa,” he said.
Outside the Constitutional Court now, together with my fellow comrades, protesting against the ongoing persecution of @AdvBMkhwebane, our #PublicProtector. #HandsOffThePublicProrector! pic.twitter.com/9ZZutL5pWJ
— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) November 24, 2022
Taking to the comment section, scores trolled him saying he had rented a crowd.
Others alleged Niehaus mobilised people who are unemployed and starving and claimed he controlled them through freebies.
Here is a snapshot of some reactions:
Atleast Oom Karl ddnt go solo today, he had a very small rented crowd atleast, lol
— Morweng (@Morweng14) November 24, 2022
Wow! Well done. From 1 person at the last protest to 22 people at the protest.Congrats
— Paulo da Silva (@Paulo43898014) November 24, 2022
You have mobilized some of the people that are jobless, starving and controlled through freebies when you are dining at high class restaurants and your kids attending the best schools. The level of abuse those who you call comrades are subjected to by your kind is concerning 😟
— Earl Kay (@EarlKay10) November 24, 2022
Must’ve been free KFC Streetwise 2 handout for all participants 🤣
— Mark Fine (@sharknetMark) November 24, 2022
You have no idea how stupid you look in these pics Carl 🤡🤡🤡
— Pula Barolong! (@Big_Daddy_E_86) November 24, 2022
Good luck with yet another one man demonstration.
— Mpho Mashala (@mashalamd) November 24, 2022
Picket n Pay
— Tilly TerBlanche (@TillyTerBlanche) November 24, 2022
Picketing with a suit , nice 😊
— Bishop from Juice (@am_sc17) November 24, 2022
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