Yengeni 'hasn't done any wrong'
2007-04-25 07:57
Melvin Whitebooi
Cape Town - Tony Yengeni has not broken any of his parole conditions.
Luphumzo Kebeni, spokesperson for correctional services minister Ngconde Balfour, says Yengeni has done nothing wrong so far.
An aggressive Kebeni wanted to know why newspapers wanted to write about Yengeni, the disgraced former ANC parliamentary chief whip.
But he then said: "Tony hasn't broken any of his parole conditions. It was just allegations by DA spokesperson James Selfe."
Yengeni was found guilty of fraud in 2003 after he did not tell Parliament he received a 47% discount on a luxury 4x4 Mercedes-Benz.
He only served a sixth of his four-year sentence.
He was paroled on January 13 this year.
His parole conditions state that he may not drink alcohol or use drugs.
Drugs may only be prescribed by a doctor.
He is also not allowed in places that sell alcohol.
Yengeni was out on a special weekend pass when he and a few friends socialised with beers.
Pictures of the incident were published in several newspapers.
He was allegedly spotted at several licensed restaurants, including Beluga in Green Point.
His conditions stipulate that if he is suspected of drinking, he must undergo blood tests.
If he refuses, it will be assumed he had broken his parole conditions.
Kebeni said: "I can't tell you what kind of punishment Tony will face if he breaks the conditions, because he hasn't done it yet."
"And if he did, it would depend on the nature of the violation."
"It works like this: if he breaks his parole conditions, we will call him in and then he has to explain why he did it."
"Until now, it hasn't happened."
- Kaapse Son