I have followed the progress of the Yengeni debacle and am astonished at the arrogance of the man, whose original fraudulent action was reprehensible enough.

Yengeni took a conscious decision against coming clean and continued to deliberately mislead Parliament and the people with a series of fabrications and falsehood.

Having reached the stage where lies could no longer save his bacon - and only then - did Yengeni acknowledge his criminal actions, yet still had the temerity to ask for a fine of R1 000! The ANC smothered itself with glory in suggesting that Yengeni "censure himself" in so far as the party is concerned, leaving me to wonder what planet these chaps are from!

Now, for good measure, the four-year sentence is being appealed on the grounds that it induces "a sense of shock".

The sense of shock arises from Yengeni's disgusting behaviour and brazen attitude. Who knows, perhaps the appeal court might even increase the sentence - and serve him right if it does.

With acknowledgements to John Gardener and The Natal Witness.