The Department of Communications (DOC) says it has not received the Public Protector's report on the investigation against former minister Dina Pule. Department spokesperson, Siya Qoza, says as soon as the department has received the report, they will seek legal guidance on how to act on the recommendations.
This comes after Public Protector Thuli Madonsela today reportedly said that Pule must apologise to Parliament and the Sunday Times for "persistently lying and unethical conduct" and repay the money spent by the DOC on her romantic partner, Phosane Mngqibisa.
According to media reports, Pule has pledged to pay back the money the department spent on Mngqibisa and has since reportedly paid back more than R89 000. The money was spent as Mngqibisa accompanied Pule on overseas trips, as a spouse.
In August, Parliament's Joint Committee on Ethics and Members Interests found Pule guilty of allowing Mngqibisa to benefit financially from his relationship with her. The committee found Mngqibisa was indeed Pule's "de facto permanent companion/spouse", despite the pair consistently having denied this, and ruled that Pule had failed to declare her association with him - an obligation she has under Parliament's ethics code.
The body recommended Pule receive the harshest sanctions possible, a fine equal to one month's salary and a 15 day suspension.
In July, President Jacob Zuma removed Pule from her position as minister and she was replaced by Yunus Carrim.
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