ANC Chief Whip commends Pule probe

The ANC Chief Whip on Thursday commended Parliament's ethics committee for its investigation into misconduct by fired communications minister Dina Pule.

   

A multi-party panel set up by the committee found Pule wilfully misled it by denying her romantic relationship with Phosane Mngqibisa, who allegedly made millions from sponsorship deals with the communications department.

   

It recommended the matter be referred to the police and prosecuting authorities.

   

Chief Whip Stone Sizani said: "We commend the committee for extensively probing the allegations faced by the former minister and reporting comprehensively to Parliament."

   

He commended Pule for subjecting herself to the investigation. The ethics committee sent the report, which recommended that Pule be docked a month's salary and reprimanded by Speaker Max Sisulu, to the National Assembly.

   

"We will await the decision of Parliament on the report and its recommendations. The ANC will never condone any act of ill-discipline, misconduct and impropriety," Sizani said.

   

Pule was fired from her Cabinet post last month, but remains an MP.

   

-Sapa