Most political parties welcomed former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni's resignation, but said he should have resigned soon after admitting he had lied to parliament.

They lambasted the ANC in parliament for dragging its feet on the Yengeni issue and praised National Assembly Speaker Frene Ginwala for the principled stand she had taken by pressing for Yengeni's resignation.

Democratic Alliance chief whip Douglas Gibson said that by vacillating on Yengeni, the ANC had sent a message to the public that it was not prepared to act swiftly and firmly against politicians who lied to parliament.

"Why is it that the ANC always closes ranks around the corrupt and the crooks? The ANC always sides with those who have transgressed and never seems to side with the honest people of our country," Gibson said.

PAC chief whip Patricia de Lille, who first raised allegations about wrongdoing in the arms deal more than three years ago, said now she felt vindicated.

Sheila Camerer of the New National Party said Ginwala was to be congratulated for her principled stand.

"The same cannot be said for Mr Yengeni's parliamentary colleagues. Politicians who lie to parliament have only one avenue: they must exit the scene," she added.

Bantu Holomisa, leader of the United Democratic Movement, said it was "a pity that the whole Yengeni saga had to blemish the institution's credibility before it was resolved".

He added it was disappointing that the "majority of ANC MPs, who are supposed to be the custodians of accountability, refused to speak out".

African Christian Democratic Party leader Kenneth Meshoe said Yengeni's resignation was long overdue.

ANC chief whip Nathi Nhleko said yesterday the ANC was committed to the principles and practice of transparent and accountable governance.

In his own words...

"I will not submit myself to a witchhunt by the Sunday Times. There is a due process of law under way into the so-called arms deal. I respect this process, I will submit myself fully to it as well as fully co-operate with the investigation." - March 26 2001

"This is a strain on me and my family. But I'm strong because I know that I am clean. And I have had a lot of support from friends , family and comrades." - March 28 2001

"If you cast doubt in the minds of the people about me, how can I go back to them and ask them to vote for the ANC? They will say you are corrupt, bribed by cars and money. The perception is being created that ANC leaders are corrupt, not trustworthy - that they are crooks. It's me today, but the attacks are going to move to other ANC leaders." - March 31 2001

With acknowledgements to Andre Koopman and The Star.