The Department of Correctional Services has reinstated the privileges enjoyed at Malmesbury Prison by convicted fraudster and former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni, following a departmental investigation into the alleged violation of his parole conditions on his first pass weekend at home by his allegedly drinking alcohol and clocking in late.

Yengeni's privileges in-clude family visits and the use of his cellphone.

Yengeni's circumstances in prison have elicited widespread criticism from various political parties and organisations, who believe him to be getting special treatment. Yengeni and Schabir Shaik, both close to top ANC leaders, are housed in more comfortable hospital cells.

Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour initially expressed "disappointment" at Yengeni's conduct and vowed to thoroughly investigate the situation after the former parliamentarian was photographed beer in hand with his friends at his Milnerton home, already late for his 3pm check-in time at the prison. Yengeni was seen leaving his home at 3.40pm. Yengeni phoned the head of the prison on the Sunday afternoon in question, saying he would be late as he was experiencing "car trouble".

Balfour's spokesman Luphumzo Kebeni declined to comment yesterday on whether Yengeni was found not guilty for lack of conclusive evidence.

He confirmed that a report on the probe had been completed early last week and that it was being studied by Balfour, who ordered it, and Sipho Manqele, the Malmesbury area commissioner for Correctional Services. "Once the minister (Balfour) and the area commissioner have studied the report.

With acknowledgement to Karen Breytenbach, Boyd Webb and Cape Times.