The national disciplinary committee (NDC) found the two high profile African National Congress leaders guilty of contravening the party's constitution, and bringing the organisation into disrepute and conduct unbecoming.
Lekota contravened Parliament's code of conduct when he failed to declare his interests in a petroleum distribution company, a wine cellar, and properties in Bloemfontein and Durban.
In June, Lekota received a written reprimand from National Assembly Speaker Frene Ginwala, and was fined a week's salary.
Yengeni, also an ANC national executive committee member, failed to disclose the 47% discount, which he received on a luxury vehicle.
The discount that was not available to the general public was required to be registered in terms of the code of conduct for MPs, which he had not done.
He had further made misrepresentations to the National Assembly and to the public regarding the issue.
In February, Yengeni pleaded guilty in court to fraud and was acquitted of corruption after a plea bargain. He was given a fouryear sentence for accepting the discount in return for using his influence to favour a company in the arms deal.
He is currently out on bail pending an appeal of his sentence.
According to a statement issued by the ANC yesterday, the NDC - chaired by Education Minister Kader Asmal - decided to reprimand Lekota and impose a R5 000 fine, which would be paid to the party.
The committee considered Lekota's failure to provide correct and satisfactory information to Parliament in a serious light.
In deciding the penalty the committee took into account the promptness and responsible manner in which Lekota dealt with the omission and the fact that his actions were not wilful, that there was an absence of dishonesty, fraud, or a conflict of interest suggesting impropriety.
Rather, it amounted to a negligent omission in fully disclosing his financial interests.
The committee also acknowledged that Lekota had never before been charged for any violation of any rule or standing order of the ANC prior to the hearing, and that he had shown remorse and taken immediate steps to minimise the damage or harm caused to the ANC.
In Yengeni's case, the committee decided to suspend his membership of the ANC for five years, from June 21, 2003.
However, the penalty was wholly suspended for three years on condition that Yengeni, during this time, was not convicted of any offence by a court of law; or convicted of any contravention in terms of the ANC constitution, and ANC code of conduct, where dishonesty formed an element of the conviction and it was of a serious nature.
The matter of his current conviction and appeal was specifically excluded for purposes of this condition.
During the hearing Yengeni expressed remorse for his behaviour and the embarrassment that had been caused to the ANC.
The committee viewed his conduct as extremely serious, although it recognised there was no fraudulent appropriation of property and that Yengeni had co-operated fully with the disciplinary process.
The committee also noted, as part of its finding, Yengeni's voluntary undertaking not to stand for any position in government or Parliament. – Sapa.
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