ID, UDM back Boesak pardon

2005-01-17 11:40

Cape Town - The Independent Democrats (ID) and the United Democratic Movement (UDM) have backed the presidential pardon granted to formerly disgraced cleric Allan Boesak.

Member of parliament Cecil Burgess said the ID - led by Patricia de Lille - "believes that Dr Allan Boesak who received presidential pardon on Saturday has served his sentence and like any other South African is entitled to be considered for the presidential pardon.

"Our constitution makes provision for the president to give pardon. The ID respects the powers that the president has to grant pardon and hopes that the justice ministry will speed up the processing of all outstanding applications so as not to create a perception that this process only benefits those closer to the ruling party," said Burgess.

UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said his party welcomed the pardon "and congratulates him (Dr Boesak).

"Dr Boesak has served his time and has thus paid the debt he owed society for the actions that led to his conviction. However, as a prominent leader in the fight against apartheid, society also owes him a debt of gratitude for his leadership during those years.

"Under the circumstances justice has been fully served on all sides," said Holomisa.

DA, PAC questioning pardon

In contrast, over the weekend, the official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) both questioned the granting of a pardon.

DA justice spokesperson Sheila Camerer said pardons were only usually given to people who express remorse at what they had done.

"Not only has Allan Boesak never done this, he has never even admitted his guilt."

PAC president Motsoko Pheko said it was a travesty of justice - noting that former PAC freedom fighters had been languishing in jail since 1995.

Boesak, a former president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and former Western Cape economic affairs MEC representing the ruling African National Congress (ANC), has had his criminal record for his 1999 conviction for fraud and theft of donor money expunged.

He was found guilty of fraud and theft of Foundation for Peace and Justice funds of just over R400 000. He was originally sentenced to six years in prison - but ultimately only served two years and two months.

- I-Net Bridge (News24)