Mbeki to justify Boesak pardon

2005-01-16 23:02

Jan-Jan Joubert and Johannes de Villiers

Cape Town - An explanation of why it is in the nation's interest that the minister and politician Dr Allan Boesak has been pardoned for theft and fraud for which he served a prison sentence is expected from the presidency on Monday.

To date, the only explanation given is that his pardon was "in national interest".

The explanation expected on Monday is thought to be a more specific one.

Presidential spokesperson Bheki Khumalo said in South Africa, as is the practice around the world, pardons were the prerogative of the president, and by law no reasons had to be given.

There was much relief in the Boesak household on Sunday.

"Look, there will always still be people who will call me a criminal and a thief. But I no longer have a criminal record," was Boesak's reaction.

Boesak said the president cannot declare invalid the judgment of the court that found him guilty of fraud and theft of donor money, but he can put his criminal record aside.

International support

In his case it was done for two reasons.

"There was support for my application from all over the world. A Nigerian professor at the University of Virginia in the US, for instance, launched an action to support my application.

"And there was lots of support from the Netherlands, including from my alma mater - the University of Kampen.

"And secondly the president felt it was in public interest because I still have a contribution to make to the country.

"Although many people never believed I was guilty, many thought I was. I will now be able to address the latter group with more authority.

"From the moment the president signed the pardon, I didn't have a criminal record any longer.

"If I apply for a job now, I don't have to indicate that I have a criminal record."

Boesak said he would remain in the church and in the ministry, where he felt he would be able to make a contribution to the country and society.

DA: Not in national interest

The fact that Boesak, a former provincial leader of the ANC in the Western Cape, was pardoned under ANC rule irks the DA.

DA MP Sheila Camerer said on Sunday that the pardon was not in national interest, but in the ANC's interest.

"The office of the president is welcome to explain how it is in national interest to pardon someone who was found guilty of stealing large amounts of donated funds from the poor and who continued denying guilt despite the ruling of the highest court in the country," she said.

She also wanted to know why Boesak's application for pardon - which was rejected by the former justice minister Penuell Maduna, had now been approved by his successor, Brigitte Mabandla.

PAC president Dr Motsoko Pheko also said the pardon was a travesty of justice.

Motsoko was indignant that Boesak had been allowed to "jump the queue", while former PAC freedom fighters had been languishing in jail since 1995.

- Die Burger