Opposition parties strongly criticised the African National Congress on Wednesday for not taking strict enough disciplinary steps against Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota and former chief whip Tony Yengeni.
The ANC’s national disciplinary committee (NDC) found the two high profile leaders guilty of contravening the party’s constitution, and bringing the organisation into disrepute and conduct unbecoming.
It decided to ”seriously reprimand” and fine Lekota R5 000 and suspend Yengeni’s membership for five years, although the latter’s sanction was conditionally suspended for three years.
Democratic Alliance Chief Whip Douglas Gibson said in a statement on Wednesday the Yengeni finding amounted to less than a slap on the wrist because the suspension of his ANC membership had in turn been suspended.
”He is therefore not punished at all,” he said.
”The Lekota finding, sadly, deals only with the less serious infringement, namely that of the parliamentary code of conduct.
”There Mr Lekota stated that he had nothing to declare when he was in fact a director and shareholder of one or more businesses. The penalty, a R5 000 fine, is appropriate for that.”
However, the ANC regrettably chose to ignore the far more serious aspect, which was that ministers were not permitted to have business interests or directorships.
Lekota was therefore not merely negligent or ”casual”; he wilfully concealed his business interests. This made him unfit to be a minister, Gibson said.
United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said: ”This is nothing but a damage control exercise by the ANC.
”This action serves to pretend as if the ANC is serious about fighting corruption since the general elections are around the corner.”
Lekota, also the ANC’s national chairman, contravened Parliament’s code of conduct when he failed to declare his interests in a petroleum distribution company, a wine cellar, and properties in Bloemfontein and Durban.
In June, Lekota received a written reprimand from National Assembly Speaker Dr Frene Ginwala, and was fined a week’s salary.
Yengeni, also an ANC national executive committee member, failed to disclose the 47% discount which he received on a luxury vehicle.
The discount that was not available to the general public was required to be registered in terms of the code of conduct for MPs, which he had not done.
He had further made misrepresentations to the National Assembly and to the public regarding the issue.
In February, Yengeni pleaded guilty in court to fraud and was acquitted of corruption after a plea bargain. He was given a four year sentence for accepting the discount in return for using his influence to favour a company in the arms deal. He is currently out on bail pending an appeal of his sentence. – Sapa