Yengeni an embarrassment to parliament and must go - DA

Former African National Congress chief whip Tony Yengeni must step down as a member of parliament, regardless of the sentence he is given for fraud, the Democratic Alliance says.

If he does not, then the ANC leadership must act against him, DA spokeswoman Raenette Taljaard said yesterday. "Tony Yengeni has become a public embarrassment to the ANC and parliament. He must go," she said.

In terms of a plea agreement, Yengeni pleaded guilty before the Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria and was acquitted on corruption charges.

The charges relate to a 47% discount he received on a 4x4 Mercedes Benz in 1998. Arguments in mitigation of sentence are to begin in the court today.

No person may be an MP if sentenced to more than 12 months in jail without the option of a fine.

Taljaard said the DA would ask parliament's ethics committee and speaker to examine the "misleading statements" Yengeni had made in public and parliament. "Disciplinary steps must be taken... If no clear sanction exists for members who mislead the House, this matter must receive the rules committee's priority attention."

With acknowledgements to Sapa and the Cape Times.