travelgaters plead guilty

[xtermin8or]

Two more former MPs accused of defrauding Parliament in the so-called Travelgate case, have reached a plea agreement with the State.

Angie Molebatsi and Douglas Maimane, both former ANC MPs, have pleaded guilty to theft. Both have been fined R25 000 or three years in prison, plus a suspended jail term of five years.

Molebatsi was told to pay her fine in 12 installments, and Maimane in 10. This leaves 12 former and sitting MPs, and five travel agents who are due to stand trial.

Jannie van Vuuren, the State advocate, says some of the remaining accused may still enter plea bargaining with the state before the trial starts on November 14.

SABC News

this means that AFAIK they can return to Parliament after the next election - as only if you are sentenced to more than five years can you not stand for public office - and they expect more to plea bargain - what a shame

 

[xtermin8or]

MORE NEWS JUST IN

The ANC caucus says it will be up to the national executive committee of the party to decide the fate of the MPs who had accepted a plea bargain with the State in the ‘Travelgate’ scam.

Moloto Mothapo, an ANC parliamentary spokesperson, says the caucus is not constitutionally mandated to make these decisions and it rests with the NEC. Mothapo says the party will have to decide whether they retain their seats in the National Assembly.

Yesterday, 14 former and current ANC MPs pleaded guilty to charges of theft and fraud and entered into plea bargains with the state. They have to pay fines to Parliament ranging from R25 000 to R120 000 or face jail time of up to 12 months. Constitutionally, this means they will be able to keep their jobs as public representatives.

Meanwhile, the hearing into the ‘Travelgate’ saga continues today. Two more ANC MPs are expected to accept a deal with the State while four ANC MPs have not entered into a plea bargain. Two former DA members and six travel agents will also appear today.

 

[vespax]

IMHO they shouldn't be allowed to retain their positions in Parliment. But what do I know?

 

[kingrob]

Are there still any decent, non-corrupt government officials left in this country?

Or were there non to start with?

 

[xtermin8or]

government officials, yes, politicians esp parliamentarians not on your life

 

[Skeptik]

There were over a 100 on the list to start with. Nearly 99% ANC. Somehow this was wittled down to nearly a quarter. Each on the current list stole over 120,000 Rand. They don't deserve to be given a plea-bargain or the option of a fine (smaller than what they owed). They are being allowed up to 2 years to pay the money back - on their MP's salary. This would have brought down an entire government in any honourable country!