Pretoria: Former African National Congress chief whip Tony Yengeni's actions were described as "shocking" by the magistrate who sentenced him yesterday to four years' imprisonment for fraud.

The politician had shown no true remorse, said Specialised Commercial Crimes Court magistrate Bill Moyses.

Instead, Yengeni covered up the discount of nearly 50% he received on a 4x4 Mercedes-Benz and wasted taxpayers' money on a drawn-out legal battle.

"What makes the crime even more serious is the planning and ongoing deceit after the benefit became public knowledge," Moyses said in sentencing Yengeni. "Not only did you not disclose the benefit, but thereafter covered up your tracks."

Yengeni is to appeal against his sentence, which he told reporters was "extremely harsh". His bail of R10 000 has been extended pending his appeal.

He pleaded guilty to fraud last month. In return, in terms of a plea agreement with the state, he was acquitted of corruption.

The car deal was allegedly arranged by Yengeni's co-accused, Michael Woerfel, who at the time was head of the Pretoria office of Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG - a bidder in the arms acquisition process. Charges against Woerfel were withdrawn yesterday.

Yengeni was then chairman of parliament's joint standing committee on defence - which oversaw the arms deal.

Moyses said Yengeni had abused his position of trust. "Parliament is chosen by the citizens of this country and they were all misled."

Parliamentarians were a nation's leaders and were supposed to set an example. "I regret to say the example you set as chief whip of the ANC is shocking."

With acknowledgements to Sapa and Cape Times.