National Council of Provinces chairperson Naledi Pandor said on Friday that draft legislation was being formulated to deal with MPs who misled the houses of parliament.
Pandor was asked what would be done about former African National Congress (ANC) chief whip Tony Yengeni who had lied to the National Assembly over the acceptance of a highly discounted vehicle from a company with links to a government arms deal.
Addressing a media conference during parliamentary briefing week, Pandor said currently the National Assembly — which she acknowledged held more robust debates than the second chamber, the National Council of Provinces — dealt with such matters through the setting up of ad hoc committees to probe ”misleading” statements.
The legislation, however, would set up new structures to deal with such matters, she said. She said the matter ”will still require attention from the National Assembly”.
Yengeni, who remains an ANC MP, protested his innocence to hushed National Assembly members in March 2001. He was at the time weathering allegations that he acquired a 4X4 Mercedes Benz from DaimlerChrysler Aerospace as a kickback which he failed to disclose in parliament’s code of conduct register.
He said he had ”legitimately purchased” the vehicle. He also said the acquisition did not amount to a gift or a donation. He did not explain why he had only started paying for the vehicle seven months after receiving it in 1998.
Yengeni, however, admitted to a Pretoria magistrate in the Commercial Crimes Court in terms of a plea agreement with the State that he had failed to disclose to parliament ”in circumstances where there was a duty to disclose. . . that I received the benefit. . . and that I misrepresented the facts and events as set out”.
He was acquitted of corruption, but found guilty of fraud as part of a plea-bargain agreement.
Whether or not he retains his seat in parliament will depend on sentencing. If he is sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment without the option of a fine, he will lose his seat, but only if he loses an appeal. – I-Net Bridge