South Africa

The Yengeni debacle looks like its (finally) moving toward reaching its conclusion. Yesterday, the High Court dismissed Yengeni's appeal and warned it would probably have increased the sentence had the delivery of swift justice not been more of a priority. From the appeal :

 

The judges said Yengeni initiated the fraudulent deal and then helped prepare a backdated agreement of sale falsely stating the car was purchased at a price of R230 052, and that he paid a R50 000 deposit. He in fact paid R182 563 in total. Yengeni placed newspaper advertisements proclaiming his innocence and attacking his accusers and investigators, the judges said.

 

There could be no doubt that he intended to deceive Parliament and the public at large. The judges rejected Yengeni's claim that Ngcuka had promised him a fine not exceeding R5 000 if he pleaded guilty to a "watered-down" charge. "It bears every hallmark of a desperate clutching at straws to escape the consequences of [his] actions rather than the ring of truth."

 

The court dismissed with costs Yengeni's application for a review of his trial on the basis of the alleged deal with Ngcuka, and his appeal against conviction and sentence.

 

Another nice surprise of the day was the initial reaction of the ANC to the Court's decision :

 

The African National Congress noted "with pain" the Pretoria High Court's dismissal on Friday of an appeal by politician Tony Yengeni against a fraud conviction and four-year sentence.

 

"The ANC is saddened by the fact that a person of comrade Yengeni's calibre, who made a major contribution to the liberation struggle of our people, should find himself in this unfortunate situation," it said. "However, the ANC will continue to respect the judiciary."

 

Keep saying that last part and you'll make Someamoungus a happy camper! However, the party also said it would continue to provide "moral and political support" for Yengeni. While this statement is unfortunate, it is to be expected frpm a party that has consistently not turned on its own -- even when they are clearly guilty of miscondunduct.

 

I look forward to the day when the ANC will turn the ideological corner and realise that supporting members who have been found guilty of crimes against the People (corruption, political fraud) is not the right thing to do. The apartheid-era laager mentality of showing no sign of weakness and presenting a united front is out of touch with the South Africa we live in now. This tactic was necessary when faced with the might of the apartheid security apparatus, but it is an anachronism today with the ANC controlling the majority of the levers of power.

 

The ANC needs to realise that there is not going to be any counter-revolution, the only way they will lose power is if they lose the respect of the majority of the electorate. Supporting convicted crooks is a quick way of doing this...