PARLIAMENT'S DECISION AGAINST FORMER MINISTER DINA PULE
20 August 2013
The Office of the ANC Chief Whip welcomes the ethics committee's report on the hearing of the former minister of communications, comrade Dina Pule, adopted by the National Assembly this afternoon.
The transgressions committed by the former minister are indeed of such serious nature that they warrant the kind of penalty she received: a reprimand in the House; fine of 30 days' salary and suspension of her privileges and right to a seat in parliament for a period of 15 days. We also welcome parliament's decision to refer the ethics committee report to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the police for the consideration of matters contained in the report that fall within their mandate.
The ANC has consistently condemned and demonstrated intolerance towards impropriety both in the public and privates sectors, as it corrodes our society's moral fibre. We are therefore confident that parliament's decision today against the former minister will go a long way in discouraging improper conduct and ensuring public representatives execute their public responsibilities strictly by the book. The committee's findings, supported by overwhelming evidence, are gravely damning against the former minister and some of his former staff, and indeed call for the maximum penalties adopted by the House.
The ANC expects all its public representatives to carry themselves with integrity, honesty, honour and to conduct themselves in a manner that inspires the confidence of the public in their leadership and the institutions they serve. Misleading parliament, using the position entrusted to you by the public for personal gain or engaging in acts that results in conflict of interest are serious offences that warrants harshest penalties in terms of the ethics code.
The Office of the ANC Chief Whip has noted various calls for it to expel the former deputy minister following the release of the committee's findings. The ANC's 53rd national conference resolution is clear that "ANC members who are found guilty of wrongdoing in other institutions of society should also be subjected to internal disciplinary processes in line with the ANC Code of Conduct."
It is noteworthy that the matter pertaining to the former minister is ongoing, as parliament has now decided to refer the findings to the NPA and the police for investigation and for possible criminal prosecution. Any action by the ANC at this stage will be premature and would preempt the process to be undertaken by the law enforcement agencies.
In the interim, comrades in similar situations are always encouraged to be guided by their moral conscience and do what is in the best interest of the movement, parliament and the people of South Africa.
Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, August 20 2013
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