Yengeni probe abandoned
2003-03-10 14:52
Cape Town - The joint ethics committee will abandon its inquiry into ex-MP Tony Yengeni's alleged contravention of parliament's code of conduct because the former chief whip has resigned his seat, said chairperson Luwellyn Landers on Monday.
Landers of the African National Congress said he had sought legal advice from parliament's lawyers.
"It's not happening. He's resigned, and this would mean that any hearing would proceed without him and a finding would have to be made in his absence."
This would obviously have implications for due process, said Landers.
"The matter will, therefore, be deemed closed."
The legal advice will be tabled at Friday's committee meeting and the committee will report back to the house, said Landers.
Yengeni resigned his seat in the national assembly last Wednesday amid mounting pressure from within his party, after acknowledging that he had misled parliament with the intention to defraud it.
Made a special statement in parliament
Last month, he pleaded guilty to fraud relating to a 47% discount he received in 1998 on a luxury Mercedes-Benz 4x4 from the then-head of a company involved in the arms deal. He is to be sentenced later this month.
In a special statement to the house in March 2001, Yengeni claimed he had bought the vehicle legitimately and it had not been necessary to disclose it in the register of member's interests.
However, his subsequent acknowledgment in court that he had failed to disclose the discount, saw the ethics committee re-open its inquiry into the matter.
Parliament's code states that members must disclose all gifts, hospitality, sponsorships and benefits valued at more than R350, as well as shares and financial interests in companies and other corporate entities, in a special register of members' interests, which is updated annually.
- SAPA