Jailed African National Congress (ANC) fraud convict Tony Yengeni could be out in time to make a guest appearance at next year’s opening of Parliament.
A source in the Department of Correctional Services said on Friday that the Malmesbury prison parole board has set January 15 as the date for Yengeni’s release.
However, departmental spokesperson Luphumzo Kebeni said Yengeni has merely been interviewed by the prison’s case-management committee, which recommended that Yengeni be freed early next year.
”That has not been approved or finalised because that has still to be endorsed by the parole board,” he said.
He said parole boards, chaired by community members, are independent of the department, and do not always accept case-management committee recommendations.
Yengeni, former ANC chief whip in Parliament, was seen off by senior ANC colleagues when he reported to Pollsmoor prison on August 24 this year to begin his sentence.
Within hours he was transferred to Malmesbury, a relatively modern and uncrowded prison about 60km north of Cape Town.
In 2003 he was sentenced to four years in jail after being convicted of fraud related to his acceptance of a discount on a luxury vehicle from one of the bidders in the multibillion-rand arms deal.
In August this year he lost an appeal against his conviction and sentence.
Yengeni will benefit from a 20-month amnesty announced by President Thabo Mbeki last year for all prisoners serving time for non-violent crimes.
In terms of the Parole and Correctional Supervision Act, he becomes eligible for release under correctional supervision after serving a sixth of his remaining sentence.
If he is released in time for the opening of Parliament at the beginning of February — where he and his wife in past years were noted for their dramatic fashion statements — he will have to go as a member of the public, or a guest.
An MP loses his or her seat if sentenced to more than 12 months in jail without the option of a fine. — Sapa