The African National Congress has used its majority to force through its view on how Parliament should deal with its former chief whip Tony Yengeni, saving the disgraced MP the public embarrassment of making a statement in the House of Assembly.

In another indication of strained relations between the ANC whips and National Assembly speaker Frene Ginwala, the ANC yesterday rejected her proposal on how to deal with Yengeni, who admitted in court that he lied to Parliament.

The ANC wants a special mutliparty committee in which it has a majority based on proportional representation to be set up. Yengeni would be afforded the opportunity to address the committee either in person, in writing, or through a representative, and the committee would then report back to the National Assembly.

ANC members said a precedent had been set when a special committee was set up to deal with claims that then minerals and energy minister Penuell Maduna misled Parliament.

Opposition parties opposed this, favouring Ginwala's proposal that Yengeni should be asked to make a public statement to the House of Assembly in the first instance.

Azanian People's Organisation MP Pandelani Nefolovhodwe noted that while the Maduna committee had investigated whether the minister misled Parliament, Yengeni had admitted in court that he had lied to Parliament.

Facing allegations of corruption, Yengeni made a special statement to the National Assembly on March 28 last year, in which he claimed he had "legitimately purchased" a luxury 4x4 vehicle. However, he has since pleaded guilty to fraud and admitted he received a 47% discount on the vehicle from the head of a company involved in the arms deal.

He also acknowledged that the misrepresentation was made with the intent to defraud Parliament. He will be sentenced later this month.

At a meeting of the National Assembly rules committee yesterday, opposition MPs clashed with their ANC counterparts over how to deal with a member who misled Parliament. ANC MPs, while agreeing it was a serious matter that needed to be dealt with quickly, argued that a proper process had to be followed.

"Whether Tony Yengeni will appear at the National Assembly or not, will be a product of that committee," ANC MP Mluleki George said.

Ginwala told MPs: "Since Mr Yengeni made the statement to the House, and to the public through the House, he should be given the opportunity to speak on the issue in the House.

"The House is the one he should be asked to speak to. If he does not come, the House can decide what it wants to do," she said.

With acknowledgements to Sapa, Angela Quintal and Business Day.