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By Karen Breytenbach and Sapa
The Department of Correctional Services has launched an investigation into whether former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni had violated his parole conditions after his arrest for alleged drunk driving at the weekend.
Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour's spokesperson, Manelisi Wolela, said depending on the investigation's outcome, the consequences of the arrest ranged from amendments to Yengeni's parole conditions to revoking his parole.
Wolela said the person responsible for "managing or supervising" Yengeni would have to "gather information" about the incident, which would then be forwarded to the department and the parole board, before a pronouncement could be made on his fate.
Wolela said it was difficult to say how long the process would take. His provincial counterpart, Mark Solomons, said a statement may be released on Tuesday.
Yengeni was arrested in Goodwood on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol on Sunday night, police said on Monday.
Senior Superintendent Siphiwo Hewana, station commander at the Goodwood police station, said Yengeni was brought in around 9pm after his BMW swerved about in Giel Basson Drive and landed on a traffic island.
No one was injured and Yengeni was alone in the car. Patrolling police stopped to investigate when they "smelled alcohol from his side".
Yengeni denied that he had been drinking, saying he had taken flu medication.
Yengeni was taken in for blood tests. He waited in a cell for about four hours, until after midnight, for a doctor to give him a blood test. His wife, Lumka, was contacted and paid his R500 bail. He did not ask for a lawyer.
Hewana said Yengeni was not asked to make a statement and his car was not impounded. His wife drove him home.
"The case will go to court on March 18, because it takes time to test blood for alcohol. We can say that his breath smelled of alcohol, but we cannot convict without the test results," said Hewana.
Yengeni is on parole following his conviction in 2003 of defrauding parliament by failing to disclose a 47 percent discount on a luxury vehicle.
His parole conditions include a stipulation that he may not use liquor or drugs other than those prescribed by a doctor until September 23, 2008.
DA correctional services spokesperson James Selfe called for a review of Yengeni's parole conditions.
The Department of Correctional Services has launched an investigation into whether former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni had violated his parole conditions after his arrest for alleged drunk driving at the weekend.
Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour's spokesperson, Manelisi Wolela, said depending on the investigation's outcome, the consequences of the arrest ranged from amendments to Yengeni's parole conditions to revoking his parole.
Wolela said the person responsible for "managing or supervising" Yengeni would have to "gather information" about the incident, which would then be forwarded to the department and the parole board, before a pronouncement could be made on his fate.
Wolela said it was difficult to say how long the process would take. His provincial counterpart, Mark Solomons, said a statement may be released on Tuesday.
Yengeni was arrested in Goodwood on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol on Sunday night, police said on Monday.
Senior Superintendent Siphiwo Hewana, station commander at the Goodwood police station, said Yengeni was brought in around 9pm after his BMW swerved about in Giel Basson Drive and landed on a traffic island.
No one was injured and Yengeni was alone in the car. Patrolling police stopped to investigate when they "smelled alcohol from his side".
Yengeni denied that he had been drinking, saying he had taken flu medication.
Yengeni was taken in for blood tests. He waited in a cell for about four hours, until after midnight, for a doctor to give him a blood test. His wife, Lumka, was contacted and paid his R500 bail. He did not ask for a lawyer.
Hewana said Yengeni was not asked to make a statement and his car was not impounded. His wife drove him home.
"The case will go to court on March 18, because it takes time to test blood for alcohol. We can say that his breath smelled of alcohol, but we cannot convict without the test results," said Hewana.
Yengeni is on parole following his conviction in 2003 of defrauding parliament by failing to disclose a 47 percent discount on a luxury vehicle.
His parole conditions include a stipulation that he may not use liquor or drugs other than those prescribed by a doctor until September 23, 2008.
DA correctional services spokesperson James Selfe called for a review of Yengeni's parole conditions.
Throw him back in prison. He should never have been allowed out in the first place.