Hawks to probe ex-minister Pule

Communications Minister Dina Pule speaks about a media smear campaign against her at a news conference in Johannesburg, Monday, 22 April 2013. Picture: Werner Beukes/SAPA

Communications Minister Dina Pule speaks about a media smear campaign against her at a news conference in Johannesburg, Monday, 22 April 2013. Picture: Werner Beukes/SAPA

Published Jul 22, 2013

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Cape Town - Dina Pule may have lost her job as communications minister, but her problems don’t end there.

Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko confirmed on Sunday the unit was investigating a complaint against Pule laid by the DA.

“Yes, the matter was reported at the Western Cape Central police station but now the matter is in our hands. We are giving it the attention it deserves,” Captain Paul Ramaloko told Sapa.

“We just started investigations recently, that is why we are not at liberty to be vocal about it. Maybe if you come after a month or two we will be able to talk,” he said.

Pule is also awaiting the outcome of an investigation by Parliament’s joint committee on ethics and members’ interests following a series of exposés by the Sunday Times relating to her alleged romantic partner Phosane Mngqibisa.

Pule was axed by President Jacob Zuma in a cabinet reshuffle earlier this month. She was replaced by former co-operative government and traditional affairs deputy minister Yunus Carrim.

The DA submitted an affidavit at the Cape Town Central police station in May, asking for an investigation into possible criminal activities of Pule, Mngqibisa, suspended chief financial officer of the SABC Gugu Duda and the broadcaster’s group chief executive officer Lulama Mokhobo.

DA spokeswoman on communications Marian Shinn said on Sunday said the Hawks and SAPS had failed to give adequate feedback on the case after the police told her last month it had been handed to the Hawks.

She had approached Hawks boss Lieutenant-General Anwa Dramat two weeks ago for a progress report but he had not responded.

“Uncertainty surrounding the docket raises serious concerns whether political interference in the case might be preventing progress,” she said.

Ramaloko, asked whether he could confirm the Hawks were investigating the matter, told the Cape Argus via SMS “yes, we are”.

The Sunday Times reported allegations Mngqibisa orchestrated the appointment of friends and family to key organisations in Pule’s portfolio.

Nomakhaya Malebane, a former confidante and business partner of Duda, alleged to the paper she was given the position at the SABC as a result of her friendship with Mngqibisa.

Additional reporting by Sapa

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