Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2007-01-12 Reporter: Sivuyile Mangxamba Reporter:

Yengeni's Life After Jail

 

Publication 

Cape Argus

Date

2007-01-12

Reporter

 Sivuyile Mangxamba

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

Former ANC chief whip will be under virtual house arrest

Convicted fraudster Tony Yengeni will walk out of prison on Monday after serving just four months of a four-year jail term, but he won't be a free man.

In terms of his parole conditions, Yengeni is banned from drinking alcohol and has to do 16 hours of community service a week. Under correctional supervision, he will effectively be under house arrest, confirmed Luphumzo Kebeni, spokesman for Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour.

"He will not be allowed to be in the company of many people," said Kebeni.

He said that he could not give the time of Yengeni's release on Monday. "Prisoners are being released on a daily basis. That matter is between us and the offender."

The disgraced former ANC chief whip, who has been accused of flouting prison regulations during his brief stint in prison, is unlikely to receive the same hero's treatment he got from the ANC when he went to Pollsmoor prison last August.

ANC provincial chairman James Ngculu told the Cape Argus there was no plan to hold a public show to pledge solidarity with Yengeni, but that his family would conduct a cleansing ritual by slaughtering a goat or sheep.

"There will be a welcome party at his house and they will slaughter (an animal), as it is our tradition for a person coming out of prison," said Ngculu.

"We (the ANC provincial leadership) may go and greet him at his house," said Ngculu.

Meanwhile, the Cape Argus has confirmed that Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane and Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils were among the high-profile figures who visited Yengeni during his stint in jail.

Ndungane's spokeswoman Penny Lorimer confirmed today that the archbishop had visited Yengeni once late last year, and Kasrils's spokeswoman Lorna Daniels confirmed that Kasrils had visited him twice - once in November and once last month.

Others who reportedly visited Yengeni in jail included Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Public Works MEC Marius Fransman, Social Development MEC Kholeka Mqulwana, ANC provincial secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha, acting inspecting judge of prisons Judge Nathan Erasmus, and human rights advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza SC.

Ngculu would not be drawn on speculation about the political future of the former ANC chief whip.

"That is the decision of the national executive," said Ngculu, adding that the former umKhonto weSizwe commander had been given a warning by the ANC disciplinary committee over his conviction.

Yengeni remains a member of the ANC's national executive committee *1.

The party's spokesman Smuts Ngonyama told the Cape Argus there was no immediate role for Yengeni.

"That will be seen when he comes out and a decision will be taken thereafter," he said.

Yengeni cannot resume a career in government as a result of his jail term, and is unlikely to regain the political clout he once enjoyed.

"His ability to influence internal ANC process has been significantly diminished. We are not going to see the Yengeni who was once popular," said University of Cape Town political analyst Zweli Jolobe.

But political analyst Adam Habib said the ANC might be open to the idea of a political comeback for Yengeni.

"It might be inappropriate for the ANC to include him but there has to be a balance between an appeal for justice and integrating prisoners once they have served their time."

On the day Yengeni went to prison, Premier Ebrahim Rasool said Yengeni would still have a role to play when he was released.

In 2003, Yengeni was convicted of fraud related to the multibillion-rand arms deal after he accepted a discount on a luxury vehicle from one of the bidders. He lost his court appeal last year and reported to prison in August, where he was bade farewell by ANC leaders, who held him aloft as they marched to the gates of Pollsmoor.

The leaders included Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete, former ANC chief whip Mbulelo Goniwe, Rasool and Ngculu.

With acknowledgements to Sivuyile Mangxamba and Cape Argus.


*1       Is Yengeni likely to vote in favour of himself?