Balfour denies attending VIP meal in Pollsmoor

By Fallen hero Tony Yengeni has had a soft landing in prison. Yesterday, after being carried through the gates of Pollsmoor prison by supporters, he enjoyed a big lunch with senior ANC officials, according to a senior warder.

After the 80-minute feast, he was transferred to Malmesbury prison in plainclothes and with his cellphone, the warder said.

He alleged the lunch was attended by Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour. But Balfour denied this today.

At 1.30pm, Balfour slipped through a back entrance. About half an hour later, Yengeni was treated to the meal in the boardroom at the the prison admissions centre, the warder said.

Balfour and top Correctional Services officials had attended the lunch he said.

"They ate a full lunch, and dessert," said the source. The boardroom doors were locked and a guard stood outside.

At 4pm, Yengeni was taken to the modern Malmesbury prison in a Correctional Services car, accompanied by a few warders.

He was still wearing the pink-and-white-striped shirt and dark jacket he had arrived in, he had his cellphone and he was not handcuffed, according to the warder.

Before leaving, he hugged Balfour and senior warders, the warder said.

Another source said a meeting was under way this morning at the regional offices in Goodwood to work out a plan for Yengeni's handling in prison.

He would be in a single cell with a shower in Medium B at Malmesbury, next to a hospital section and away from dangerous criminals.

Asked to comment, provincial Correctional Services spokesman Mark Solomons said: "It is not unusual for a prisoner to be in private clothes in a situation such as Yengeni."

He would not confirm any other details.

But this morning Balfour said he had been at the admission centre chatting to his officials while wellwishers gathered outside the prison gates to bid Yengeni farewell.

"When Tony arrived at the admissions, we chatted and shook hands. I don't think there is anything sinister with that. I talk with all my inmates if I want to."

Balfour said he was there as admissions officials explained prison procedures to Yengeni.

"Then I left immediately and flew to Pretoria - that I (am alleged to have) had lunch with Tony is a joke, it's crazy. Tony is now my inmate, how can I do something which is against the policies of the department I lead?" Balfour said.

Malmesbury prison spokesman Luphumzo Kebeni dismissed complaints about Yengeni wearing his normal clothes and carrying his cellphone.

"Every convicted person arrives at the prison with normal clothes and cellphones if they prefer to. Upon admission, he leaves all those at the admission centre or has them taken by relatives or whoever."

With acknowledgement to Norman Joseph, Zama Feni and Cape Argus.