Former communications minister Dina Pule should face criminal charges for her misconduct, Corruption Watch said on Thursday.
“It is important to note that Pule is not an ordinary member of parliament, but held a cabinet post vital to South Africa’s wellbeing and economic prospects,” spokesman David Lewis said in a statement.
“While welcoming the findings of parliament’s ethics committee against Pule, criminal charges must be laid against her in line with the anti-corruption laws.”
The committee said on Wednesday that Pule had failed to disclose the business interests of her romantic partner, Phosane Mngqibisa.
He benefited financially from the sponsorship of last year’s information and communications technology event, the ICT Indaba, which her department hosted in Cape Town.
The committee recommended that Pule be fined a month’s salary and that she be reprimanded by national assembly speaker Max Sisulu.
Lewis said the committee’s limited powers needed to be augmented to enable it to impose heavier penalties on corrupt MPs.
“We understand that the committee used all powers at its disposal and we commend them for that. This is all the more reason for the criminal justice authorities to act, including action to recover the public funds plundered.” — Sapa
