Publication: Sunday Independent Issued: Date: 2007-01-21 Reporter: Melanie Peters Reporter: Juggie Naran

Storms Brewing over VIP Convicts

 

Publication 

Sunday Independent
Date

2007-01-21

Reporter

 Melanie Peters, Juggie Naran

Web Link

www.sundayindependent.co.za

 

Charges that Tony Yengeni and Schabir Shaik were given red-carpet treatment by prison authorities because of their political connections refuse to go away

Former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni was given special permission by the department of correctional services to leave Cape Town to buy the bull that was ritually slaughtered at his parents' home this weekend at his welcome-home-from-prison party. He could not otherwise have left the city because of his parole conditions.

And allegations that another high-profile criminal, Schabir Shaik, has also received preferential treatment are to be investigated by the Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons.

The convicted fraudster has spent most of the past two months not behind bars but in the comfort of a private hospital in Durban.

Yengeni drove to a farm near Porterville, more than 150km from Cape Town, to choose a sacrificial bull on Tuesday, the day after he was released. He spent only four months in prison after being sentenced to four years for lying to parliament about a discount he was given on a 4X4 luxury vehicle by one of the companies bidding for a slice of the government's multibillion-rand arms deal.

Luphumzo Kebeni, the Western Cape correctional services spokesperson, said Yengeni had been given permission for the trip and was accompanied by a senior prisons official.

Yengeni's brief stay in prison was marked by accusations that he received special treatment. Lance Greyling, the Independent Democrats' chief whip, said he would ask in parliament about the conditions of Yengeni's parole.

"The impression is being created that certain politicians are above the law and receive special treatment. We can't allow our criminal justice system to be made a mockery of."

Yengeni's bull, and two sheep, were slaughtered on Friday afternoon as part of a post-prison "cleansing" ceremony.

Many of Yengeni's friends, relatives and political comrades gathered at his parents' home to welcome him home from prison.

Shaik has spent 58 days at St Augustine's Hospital under 24-hour guard after about two weeks in the hospital section of Qalakabusha Prison in Empangeni. He is said to be suffering from depression and high blood pressure.

With acknowledgements to Melanie Peters, Juggie Naran  and Sunday Independent.