Former top S Africa MP faces jail

Yengeni was sentenced in 2003

Former South African MP Tony Yengeni has lost his final appeal against a four-year jail sentence imposed for defrauding parliament.

Mr Yengeni formerly headed parliament's defence committee and was chief whip of the governing ANC party.

He was convicted in 2003 after it was found he had received a large discount on the purchase of a luxury car, from a firm bidding for an arms contract.

He then initially lied to parliament about receiving this benefit.

Mr Yegeni's lawyer, Marius du Toit, said his client would have to present himself to Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town within 72 hours to begin serving sentence, the South African Press Association reports.

The ANC expressed regret at the decision by the Supreme Court of Appeal, based in the central city of Bloemfontein.

"Given the contribution that Tony Yengeni has made towards the achievement of a united and democratic South Africa, and appreciating the sacrifices he has made over the years of his involvement in the struggle, this outcome is deeply saddening and regrettable," an ANC statement said.

The case has been seen as an important test of the South African government's willingness to fight corruption.

A former freedom fighter, Mr Yengeni was well known as a flamboyant and prominent ANC member and parliamentarian.

Corruption charges currently being investigated against former Deputy President Jacob Zuma arise from the same arms deal for which Mr Yengeni was convicted.

Mr Zuma denies the charges, and his case is due back in court next month.