Publication: Business Day
Issued:
Date: 2007-01-15
Reporter: Sapa
Convicted
fraudster Tony Yengeni was released on parole from the Malmesbury prison at this
morning, maintaining his innocence *1. Speaking to a
group of supporters outside the prison, Yengeni said it was a great day for
himself, his family and the African National Congress.
"I am now walking
out of this prison. The place I was not supposed to be in
the first place *1, but we’ll leave that to a later stage," he
said.
The former ANC Chief Whip said much had been spoken about him
during his trial and afterwards.
He needed time to consider all this and
consult with his family and the ANC before making a full
statement.
Yengeni thanked his supporters and particularly the people of
Malmesbury, many of whom he said had come to visit him even though he did not
know them during his four months stint in the prison.
Therefore, it would
be appropriate to commit himself to coming back to Malmesbury later on, not only
to visit the prison, but also to be part of the activities of the
community.
Dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt and a red striped
tie, Yengeni said the "problem" was not himself, former deputy president Jacob
Zuma or president Thabo Mbeki.
The problem in SA was
that of poverty and that 90% of the economy was in the hands of five percent of
the population *2.
Shortly before Yengeni’s release, Correctional
Services Minister Ngconde Balfour’s spokesman Luphumzo Kebeni informed the media
contingent that Yengeni "is not supposed to talk to the media and he will
therefore not entertain any questions".
"You are not allowed to ask any
questions," Kebeni said.
Yengeni, accompanied by his wife Lumka and
senior Western Cape ANC leaders including provincial secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha
then left the prison car park in a convoy of vehicles heading for his family
home in Gugulethu, Cape Town.
Yengeni was convicted in 2003 and sentenced
to four years’ imprisonment for defrauding parliament by failing to disclose a
47% discount on a luxury 4X4 Mercedes-Benz.
He failed to win an appeal
against his sentence and was sent to the Pollsmoor prison in August last
year.
With acknowledgement to Sapa.
*1 This nincampoop pleaded guilty
yet he maintains his innocence.
He should have his plea arrangement with
the NPA set aside and be charge with the original indictment of
corruption.
That one might get him a 10-year
sentence.
*2 The new problem in SA is still that
of poverty and that 90% of the economy is in the hands of five percent of the
population, but now the ANC and people like Yengeni, Shaik and Zuma want the
five percent of the population to be them and their fellow bumiputerians and not
the NP and their fellow broederbonders.