A provisional report by public protector Thuli Madonsela into allegations against former communications minister Dina Pule has been submitted to president Jacob Zuma for comment.
Spokesperson for Madonsela, Kgalalelo Masibi, says the report was submitted last week Tuesday and the return date for comment is 1 October. The final version of the report is expected to be released early next month.
Madonsela is investigating allegations of corruption and mismanagement brought against Pule, which led to her being found guilty by Parliament's Joint Committee on Ethics and Members Interests for allowing her romantic partner, Phosane Mngqibisa, to benefit financially from his relationship with her.
The committee also ruled that Pule had failed to declare her association with Mngqibisa, which she was obliged to do in terms of Parliament's ethics code.
Pule received sanctions including a fine equivalent to 30 days' salary, and a suspension of privileges for 15 days, as well as exclusion from any Parliamentary debates and committees for this period.
A separate investigation by the SAPS is still ongoing, including allegations that Pule is linked to a failed assassination attempt of ethics committee chairman Ben Turok, as well as registrar of members' interests, Fazela Mohamed. Pule has denied the allegations.
Pule was axed as communications minister by Zuma during a Cabinet reshuffle in July, and replaced by Yunus Carrim. Less than a month after being lifted out of her seat, Pule was appointed to Parliament's portfolio committee on transport.
Earlier this month, it emerged that taxpayers are footing the bill for Pule's legal fights - an amount so far of R1.18 million. Carrim noted that additional legal costs are still payable, but are unknown at this stage.
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