The United Democratic Movement says ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni should treat Parliament and its committees with the respect and dignity they deserved. 

The UDM was reacting to Yengeni's failure to provide Parliament's ethics committee with an explanation as to why he allegedly failed to declare a luxury vehicle as a gift. Yengeni, who has questioned the committee's procedures, has been given a second chance in terms of the rules to reply to the committee. 

"One cannot help but wonder: what is the difference between Mr Yengeni's behaviour and that of Mr Peter Marais, whom the ANC has roundly denounced as having contempt for Parliament?" UDM spokesperson Cedric Frolick asked. "His questioning of procedures has necessitated a second written request to him to explain his motor vehicle and house. The result is that the committee's time and energy is being wasted, in direct contravention of the Speaker's express wish for an expedient resolution of the matter." 

As chief whip of the majority party in Parliament, Yengeni had to act as custodian of democracy, and set an example for all of society, Frolick said. "Ironically, Mr Yengeni himself has repeatedly cried 'witch hunt', but now holds up the process that will prove his often repeated claims of innocence." 

Yengeni has until 5pm today to reply to a second letter from Parliament's ethics committee, asking him to respond to claims that he failed to disclose a luxury vehicle. Yengeni was originally given seven days to respond, but instead of answering the allegations, questioned the committee's procedures instead. 

Asked what would happen if he again failed to respond, Registrar of Members' Interests Fazela Mohamed said there was no precedent for such a case and the committee would have to consider the matter. Parliament is in recess for the Easter break. 

Democratic Alliance chief whip Douglas Gibson said Yengeni was perilously close to being in contempt of Parliament. "I urge him to make a full disclosure by deadline. Ordinary people are struggling to come to terms with this difficulty in making a simple disclosure. If he has nothing to hide, why does he keep on hiding?" Gibson asked. 

With acknowledgement to iafrica.com.