Times Live claims to have documents showing South African communications minister Dina Pule lied about her romantic connection to Phosane Mngqibisa, a businessman, and is in fact married to him.
HumanIPO reported in March, Pule told Eusebius McKaiser, a Talk 702 radio presenter, Mngqibisa was not her boyfriend and that it was part of the Sunday Times’ political campaign against her.
According to the documents obtained by the Sunday Times: “Deputy Minister Pule has nominated her spouse Mr Phosane Mngqibisa to accompany her on an official visit to Mexico [on] 2 to 4 September 2009.”
The documents in question were apparently prepared by Rebotile Zondo, Pule’s former personal assistant, were recommended by Renah Lusiba, former chief of staff, approved by Themba Phiri, Pule’s deputy director general, former acting chief operations officer and Simphiwe Nyanda, the communications minister at the time.
Pule and Mngqibisa were apparently accompanied by Zondo and Phiri and spent ZAR700,000 (US$70,600) on the trip, which allegedly included a detour to New York, apparently unauthorised.
“It is recommended that the following officials accompany the deputy minister and her companion, Mr Phosane Mngqibisa, to attend the World Summit Award 2009 winners event… in Monterrey Mexico,” the Sunday Times quoted the documents as stating.
Nyanda told the Sunday Times he did approve the trips both Pule and her “spouse” went on. “I approved this trip as communications minister at the time, but I wasn’t aware who the spouse was. I didn’t have to ask her – it’s a private matter.”
Furthermore, Nyanda said he previously approved a trip for Pule and Mngqibisa to attend the M-Net Face of Africa event in Nigeria. An investigation by the Sunday Times apparently confirms flight details both for the trip to Nigeria and back to South Africa.
Furthermore the newspaper claims the couple have taken as many as 20 trips together since 2009.
A public protector’s investigation into Pule has again been delayed due to the cancellation of an interview by a witness.
The Sunday Times reported Mngqibisa did not respond to any text messages or emails by the time of publication.
