Pule: Criminal investigation should continue
The DA has been sent from pillar to post between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Hawks, trying to confirm who is investigating Dina Pule and what the progress is on the case. I will today write to the Director of the Hawks, Anwa Dramat, to request written confirmation and an update on the investigations thus far as soon as possible.
The DA gave an affidavit to SAPS in May, requesting that it investigate the possible criminal activities of Ms Pule, her boyfriend Mr Phosane Mngqibisa, the suspended CFO of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Ms Gugu Duda and the Group CEO of the SABC Ms Lulama Mokhobo.
This followed the Sunday Times front page investigation into appointments in the Department of Communication and its entities under her watch and the role of her boyfriend in appointing executive management and board members. The SAPS agreed to investigate the allegations, and in June 2013, Cape Town SAPS Col Mkhuzo confirmed that witnesses had come forward and the case has been escalated to the anti-corruption unit, the Hawks, in Cape Town.
However, the contact person to whom Col Mkhuzo handed the docket, Col Hlophe, repeatedly denied that they are investigating the case.
Dina Pule's removal from the executive does not vindicate her from the much awaited Public Protector report on her connection with the ICT Indaba in Cape Town in 2012, or the parliamentary ethics and members' interest committee report. Nor should it in away prevent a full and fair investigation by the SAPS into her allegedly corrupt conduct as reported in the media.
It is of extreme importance that a clear message is sent out to all those who hold executive office that should they in any way misuse their positions that they will be investigated and held to account in terms of the law.
Ms Dina Pule must be no exception.
Statement issued by Marian Shinn MP, DA Shadow Minister of Communications, July 10 2013
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