29/01/2005 23:06 - (SA)
Travelgate MPs off the hook?
JIMMY SEEPE
The number of ANC MPs who are to be charged in the travelgate scam, is being whittled down. This is a result of behind-the-scenes negotiations in which lawyers acting for the MPs managed to ensure the removal of the names of some of their clients from the original list of the 40 suspects.
This new development, dubbed "a trial without a magistrate", means that when the MPs finally appear in court on February 18, as announced by the Scorpions last Friday, the list will be far shorter than the original 40 .
Lawyers acting for the ANC MPs expressed optimism that the behind-the-scenes "trial" would pay off as negotiations go into another week from tomorrow.
Advocate Seth Nthai, who is representing about 33 ANC MPs, told City Press that the Scorpions had agreed after protracted negotiations this week, not to name MPs identified by the prosecuting authority.
Although he could not disclose the exact number of MPs who may eventually be charged, or those whose names have been removed, Nthai said discussions were still continuing between the two parties.
Scorpions spokesperson Sipho Ngwema confirmed that the list would be reduced from 40.
"That is the end product of negotiations. It is give and take."
The latest development comes after a week of heigthened expectations that the Scorpions were likely to arrest 40 MPs involved in the travelgate scam. Ngwema had promised that the MPs would be charged by the end of the week.
But on Friday, Ngwema released a statement saying that some of the current and former MPs would now appear in the Cape Town Magistrates' Court on February 18.
Ngwema had earlier said that the Scorpions were open to a plea bargain deal with some of the MPs or to allow them to become State witnesses.
Nthai said his clients were not yet ready to enter into any plea bargain.
"How can we enter into a plea bargain when there are still no charges? We will, however, look into all options available - including plea bargaining and going for a full trial," said Nthai.
A plea bargain would allow the MPs to admit guilt for the offences they are charged with - and provide them with the option of paying a fine. This would save both the State and the accused a lengthy court process and expenses. Depending on the fine, this may also save them from being forced out of Parliament.
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