DA wants faster probe of Pule

If communications minister Dina Pule abused her position of authority to enrich her alleged romantic partner, she must be made to face the consequences, says the Democratic Alliance.

Added by Editor on 3 February 2013.
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Dina Pule

Dina Pule

The opposition Democratic Alliance will write to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela to ask her to expedite her probe into 2012’s ICT Indaba after the Sunday Times published damning new allegations at the weekend that communications minister Dina Pule’s romantic partner benefited to the tune of R6m from the event.

The newspaper quotes two “secret” documents — a forensic report by law firm Werksmans, acting for MTN, and an affidavit that indaba organiser Carol Bouwer submitted to parliament’s ethics committee, which is probing the event.

It says the Werksmans report reveals that Phosane Mngqibisa, alleged to be romantically involved with Pule, took a R6m “management fee” for his involvement in the ICT Indaba, while Bouwer, the main organiser received just R2m.

Curiously, the probe by Werksmans was not able to expose MTN’s role in the scandal because the company “specifically instructed [it] not to interview any of the MTN executives involved in the arrangement surrounding the ICT Indaba”, the newspaper said.

The event cost more than R35m, with MTN, Telkom and Vodacom contributing R25,7m and the department of communications a further R10,5m.

Democratic Alliance MP and communications spokesman Marian Shinn says it is becoming “increasingly evident” that Pule “not only put pressure on a number of telecommunications companies to sponsor the indaba, but used undue influence to ensure that her partner was appointed in a management role, which enabled him to withdraw money from the main organiser’s bank account”.

Madonsela is not investigating a possible conflict of interest in Pule’s involvement in the event. “In light of this latest evidence, I will request the Public Protector to expedite the investigation as soon as possible,” Shinn says.

“It is becoming increasingly evident that the minister may have abused her position of authority over companies … to enrich a close personal friend. If investigations confirm that this was indeed the case, Pule must be made to face the consequences.”  — (c) 2013 NewsCentral Media

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  • Davebee

    I would hope the Protector recommends that the pair of them REPAY with interest any funds that were screwed from the public’s purse.
    Should this minister be found guilty of corruption then she should also be CRIMINALLY charged with whatever charges can be brought in such matters. She must be made an example of, God knows we have had enough of these types of fraud and being untouchable as well!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527737873 Vusi Sibiya

    There is already a process within the ANC and government that’s going to be dealing with Pule, it may take time but it will deal with it nonetheless. There’s really nothing which isn’t already obvious about the likelihood of there being another deployment to the post of minister of communications. When will the DA learn that they gain absolutely nothing with opportunistic cheap political points scoring maneuvers that don’t bring any knew light to what we already know… which is that they’ll always remain a toothless opposition with no real power and so they have to always come up with their 10c worth of “Hot Air” on everything and anything that they believe will give them publicity.

  • http://twitter.com/aerbingham Anthony Bingham

    You say there is a “process within the ANC and government….” – are you delusional? The corruption within the ANC and Government is already at endemic proportions – how can the ANC deal with corruption when it is lead by a president who is probably the most corrupt of them all?

  • http://www.facebook.com/jc.an.566 Jc An

    Gee whizz speak about being arrogant! Asking the public protector to expedite her investigation! The DA can wait like everyone else while the public protector does her job. If you want something to do in the meanwhile why don’t you question your honorable leader about why she’s knocking on the Guptas front door begging for handouts!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527737873 Vusi Sibiya

    Fully agree… and lets hope the new deployment to the post of minister of communications will display the same degree of competence which the protector has shown in the performance of her duties. The DoC is in a shambles and it is possible to have it running as effectively as SARS and other departments that have competent teams behind them.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527737873 Vusi Sibiya

    The only delusional people in this country are those that think that the interests that serve a white minority are whats going to get them into power in a democracy.

  • http://twitter.com/aerbingham Anthony Bingham

    Suggest you and your ilk get rid of your racist views – which would make SA a better place for all concerned – if you re-read my comment carefully there is no mention of race – it has nothing to do with the issue.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527737873 Vusi Sibiya

    Would also suggest that you understand how a democracy works. It shouldn’t take over 18 years to figure out a simple thing like majority rules.

  • kid black

    no no. arrogance is embezzling public TAX money with no official qualification or real demonstrable progress in anything. Pule would be hard pushed organizing a chicken fryer, never mind a public department….

    Proof? Delayling ITU deadline of digital crossover beyond 2015 when even Tanzania, Kenya, Nigera and Uganda are well ahead of us.

    I beg to question.. what to all these morons do with their public funded lifestyles?

  • The Emperor has no clothes…

    I assume that you also think that what has been going on in Zimbabwe with Mugabe for the pat 30 years is also democracy?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527737873 Vusi Sibiya

    The delay with regard to the ITU deadline is a result of number of blunders within the DoC and Pule will be hard done to be given all the credit. The committee that has been appointed is one of few good decisions that have come from Pule and hopefully all involved will focus on the urgent matter of getting us back on track with the digital migration process. As for her future, she should be well prepared to sleep in the bed which she’s made for herself… “No pun intended!”

  • John Mitchell

    Again Mr Zuma, would you like to review your statement about the ANC being corrupt? From where I’m sitting, it doesn’t get more corrupt than this… or can it? Please Mr Zuma, I’d like an answer from you sir!

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