Former African National Congress chief whip Tony Yengeni might have to undergo another hearing, after he pleaded guilty to defrauding Parliament, say senior party members.
In terms of a plea bargain with the state, Yengeni, who was facing charges related to a 47% discount he received on a 4×4 Mercedes Benz in 1998, was acquitted of corruption.
In his plea explanation Yengeni admitted that he had failed to disclose the benefit he had received to Parliament. He said he had misrepresented the facts with the ”intent to defraud Parliament”.
Parliament’s ethics committee had postponed taking action against Yengeni until the legal process had been completed.
Vusi Mahaye, representative for the current ANC chief whip Nathi Nhleko, said the party would be in a position to respond to Yengeni’s admission in court after it had met with him.
”We will also have to go through the court records,” said Mahaye.
Sipho Ngwema, representative for the Public Prosecutor Bulelani Ngcuka, confirmed that the state had struck a deal with Yengeni. Argument on sentencing will be held on Monday.
Yengeni said he was unable to comment until Monday.