Communications minister Dina Pule has no intention of apologising to the Sunday Times for allegations she levelled against the publication last month.
This is according to Department of Communications (DOC) spokesperson Siya Qosa, in response to claims printed by the weekly newspaper yesterday that Pule sent her lawyer, Ronnie Bokwa, to apologise to the Sunday Times for publicly accusing three of the paper's journalists of being embroiled in a blackmail plot against her.
"The minister has no intention of apologising and did not instruct anyone to approach the paper [in a bid to broker a peace deal]."
Qosa could not immediately comment further, but said this morning he would issue a response in due course.
The Sunday Times also claimed yesterday that witnesses are set to confirm Pule is romantically involved with Phosane Mngqibisa, in front of a Parliamentary ethics committee, which met on Thursday and Friday to probe Pule's link to the businessman.
Meanwhile, the public awaits a Public Protector's report into allegations of corruption and nepotism against Pule. Indications were that the Public Protector would submit its preliminary report last week - after it had been delayed from the initial expected timeline of the end of March.
Oupa Segalwe, spokesperson for the Public Protector, said on Friday evening the issue was still in the process of being finalised. "The Public Protector is finalising that matter and in the next few days she will have a provisional report."
Pule is accused of allowing Mngqibisa - her alleged boyfriend - to receive sponsorship money from the ICT Indaba last year June. The event was organised by the DOC.
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