Disgraced MP Tony Yengeni agreed to step down this week after being convinced by ANC heavyweights that his resignation from Parliament would favourably affect his sentencing, according to party insiders.

It is understood that senior ANC officials reasoned with Yengeni that a resignation would work in his favour when his case comes up for sentencing on March 19. It was also pointed out that the kind fo "critical media coverage" his case had received was not good for him or the party.

The Mail & Guardian understands that ANC leader Thabo Mbeki did not force the issue, as reports suggest. Mbeki was in Kuala Lumpur attending the Non-Aligned Movement summit.

ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma, chairperson Mosiuoa Lekota, secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe and other officials met Yengeni on Monday to convey a "collective decision" that he should resign his parliamentary seat because of his fraud conviction. Yengeni pleaded guilty to defrauding Parliament over a 47% discount he received on a 4x4 Mercedes-Benz in 1998.

"We told him it would be the right thing to do," Motlanthe confirmed on Thursday. "It would be incorrect to say Mbeki intervened and asked him to resign."

However, Yengeni refused to comply immediately. After repeated telephone calls from Motlanthe, he announced his resignation in a five-word declaration on Wednesday: "I forthwith resign from Parliament."

Said Motlanthe: "I had been trying to convince him it was the proper thing to do."

ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngomyama said Motlanthe had "analysed" the situation with Yengeni this week.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and www.news24.co.za