Ousted communications minister Dina Pule has apologised for mistakes she made during her tenure, which came to an end last month after Zuma gave her the boot during a Cabinet reshuffle.
Pule apologised publicly today after co-chair of Parliament's Joint Committee on Ethics and Members Interests Professor Ben Turok presented his findings to the National Assembly.
In his submission to the House Turok concluded that the former minister had been unethical and dishonest, particularly with regard to the scandal surrounding Pule and her romantic partner Phosane Mngqibisa.
The Ethics Committee recommended that Pule be subjected to the maximum penalty by the joint rules of Parliament; namely a reprimand in Parliament, a monetary fine (equal to a month's salary) and suspension of privileges and the right to a seat in Parliamentary debates or Committee for 15 days. Pule has also been ordered to fully disclose and correct all previous incomplete declarations.
Turok further advocated that the Ethics Committee report be referred to the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority for further investigation and that Parliament's Code of Conduct be revised to the end of having penalties for transgressions increased.
"This has been a long drawn out affair, requiring a great deal of research and scrutiny of the rules and legislation," said Turok.
"[Pule] allowed herself to be in a position where her private interests were in direct conflict with the public interest. [Pule] did not act to prevent this and indeed promoted this undesirable situation."
Newly appointed communications minister Yunus Carrim released a statement shortly after the Ethics Committee edict: "I conferred with the chief state law advisor, Enver Daniels, and was advised that I should await the outcome of the investigation by the Public Service Commission."
Carrim says, as soon as the outcome is revealed and the matter referred to the Department of Communications, he will "take further advice and decide on appropriate action."
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