The Sunday Times this morning is reporting that Communications minister Dina Pule is set to be probed by Parliament's ethics committee over her alleged involvement with Phosane Mngqibisa.
The paper last week reported on its front page that Pule was not in control of the department, but had ceded control to Mngqibisa. Citing an internal audit, the paper reported on its front page that he" got his friends and relatives onto the boards of the Post Office, Sentech, the Universal Services and Access Agency, and the SABC with the full knowledge of Pule".
It has also alleged that Mngqibisa improperly benefitted from last year's ICT Indaba.
Speaking to ITWeb last Sunday, Pule said she intended to take legal action against the Sunday Times, and would approach the press ombudsman, as the newspaper has consistently breached the Press Code by "running what is clearly a politically-motivated smear campaign" against her.
According to the paper this morning, the committee has set aside five days to "grill" Pule to get to the "bottom of the matter," from 22 April.
It reports that the probe will first investigate whether Pule and Mngqibisa have a romantic relationship.
The Sunday Times says that, if the two are in a relationship, Pule should have declared her partner's financial interests and any benefit that she receives from them. The "high-level" panel will be led by veteran African National Congress member Ben Turok.
After the hearing, a report will be composed and the committee can recommend that further steps be taken, says the paper. Communications spokesman Siya Qoza is quoted as saying that Pule will cooperate with the probe.
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