Yengeni 'rushed off in cop car'

2008-03-20 07:23

Maygene de Wee

Cape Town - The police began an investigation on Wednesday into allegations that African National Congress former chief whip and sentenced fraudster Tony Yengeni again had received preferential treatment from Western Cape police.

Yengeni appeared in Goodwood Magistrates' Court on Wednesday on a charge of drunken driving, alternatively of reckless or negligent driving.

After the court procedures he was taken away quickly in a police vehicle with registration number CA 547 311.

Superintendent André Traut denied on behalf of Goodwood police station that it had been their vehicle and that Yengeni had received preferential treatment.

Traut later said the vehicle had been lent to the police union, Popcru, according to an agreement between the union and the police.

Vehicles used for union matters

Popcru secretary-general in the Western Cape, Mncedisi Mbolekwa, said he was not aware Yengeni had been transported in a police vehicle.

He added that there was an agreement between the police and Popcru and that, according to his information, the vehicles were only used for union matters.

He said that he would investigate why Yengeni had been transported in the vehicle.

Yengeni, who was out on R500 bail, appeared in court after his arrest on November 25 2007 when he landed on a traffic island in his black BMW in the middle of the night.

The hearing was postponed on Wednesday until May 5 to allow for further investigation.

- Die Burger