Former ANC spokesperson Carl Niehaus does not have a doctor’s degree in theology as claimed and allegedly got a R100Â 000 holiday to Mauritius for free, two newspapers reported on Tuesday.
According to Beeld, Niehaus did not get a doctor’s degree in theology from the University of Utrecht in The Netherlands, as he had claimed. This was during his stint as South Africa’s ambassador in Den Haag.
”I can inform you that Mr Carl Niehaus did not attain a doctor’s degree in theology at the University of Utrecht,” a university representative informed Beeld.
Niehaus’ CV on the LitNet website states that he received his ”doctorate” in theology summa cum laude from the University of Utrecht while he was ambassador.
Beeld reported that a journalist from its sister paper, Die Burger, last year asked Niehaus to clarify if he should be addressed as sir or doctor, to which he replied: ”It does not really matter, but it is doctor.”
According to another news report on Tuesday, Niehaus allegedly persuaded the owner of an East London travel agency to pay R100Â 000 for a holiday for himself and his family in Mauritius, and then never paid up.
”He got a free holiday and I lost my Christmas bonus,” Let’s Travel owner Cheryl Clur told the Star newspaper.
Niehaus allegedly approached her six years ago and played on her sympathies by saying he had had cancer.
”He told me he had been ill with leukaemia, had chemotherapy and wanted a holiday for his wife and two children. He played on my emotions with his illness.”
When Niehaus returned from the holiday, Clur tried in vain to get him to pay up, saying he did pay her R20Â 000.
”When I read the SMS he sent to the people that he owed money to, published in the Sunday Times, it was like deja vu.”
On Friday, the ANC held a press briefing confirming Niehaus’resignation after the Mail and Guardian reported allegations of fraud against Niehaus, most of which he admitted to in an interview with the paper.
A tearful Niehaus admitted that he:
- Forged signatures while he was chief executive of the Gauteng Economic Development Agency before resigning in December 2005;
- Borrowed money over a six-year period from some of the brightest stars of the ANC and business galaxy, much of which he has not paid back;
- Asked to be connected to Brett Kebble because he was ‘desperate for financial helpâ€;
- Had to leave a top job at Deloitte and Touche in 2003 after his financial woes became embarrassing.
The Sunday Times reported that Niehaus was facing eviction from his R45Â 000 a month Midrand home after apparently owing his landlord over R300Â 000. The paper published SMSs allegedly sent by Niehaus to landlord Eric Corbishley, in which he blamed the ANC’s ”serious organisation challenges” for payment delays.
Meanwhile, the South African Institute of Race Relations warned that fraud and corruption within the African National Congress posed a threat to the rule of law in the country, Business Day reported on Tuesday.
”That the ANC was aware of the corrupt dealings of the man they appointed as their spokesperson to convey their election manifesto promise to act against corruption is beyond scandalous,” the institute’s deputy CEO Frans Cronje was quoted as saying.
”When the ruling party shows a disregard for the rule of law, that same disregard will begin to manifest itself in government.” – Sapa