ANC, DA weigh in on Pule conspiracy
The African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA) have both chimed in on the allegations that former minister of communications is involved in a conspiracy to have parliamentary ethics committee members assassinated.
According to a report in the Sunday Times on the weekend (11 August 2013), a top-level police investigation is currently underway looking into claims made by a man who says he was hired by Pule’s boyfriend, Phosane Mngqibisa, to arrange the murder of the committee’s chairman, Ben Turok, and registrar, Fazela Mohamed.
The ethic committee’s report on Pule confirmed that the two members had received threats, and both Turok and Mohamed were subsequently appointed body guards.
The parliamentary ethics committee ruled on Wednesday (7 august) that Pule was guilty of misconduct and lying as she abused her position as communications minister to improperly benefit Mngqibisa – who was found to be her de facto permanent spouse.
According to the Sunday Times, the man who claims to have been hired to execute the assassination plan, came forward and confessed to parliament’s head of security.
In a statement issued in response to the revelation that Turok and Mohammed had receive threats, the ANC condemned the action, describing it as a “clearly calculated” move to undermine the authority of the parliamentary process.
The party called on the police and law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter and bring the purpotrators to book.
“Should any of those behind the threats be found to be ANC members, the organisation will not hesitate to take stern action against them as we regard such conduct to be un-ANC,” the party said.
DA Chief Whip, Watty Watson
DA: “Suspend Dina Pule”
Acknowledging reports that Pule and Mngqibisa were implicated in the plot, DA chief whip Watty Watson called on the ANC to suspend the former communications minister subject tot he outcome of an investigation into the matter.
“These are serious allegations which must be investigated. Dina Pule should be suspended from Parliament, and the Portfolio Committee of Transport, until such an investigation is finalised,” the DA said.
Should Pule not be immediately suspended, the DA will push for her suspension at the next Chief Whips Forum on 15 August 2013, the party said.
According to the national police commissioner, the alleged co-conspirator who came forward with the story has proven to be “uncooperative and not credible”, though they are continuing to assess the source and validity of the allegations.
The Sunday Times could not independently verify any of the recordings and documents he claimed to have, and reported no direct link to Pule in the matter beyond the alleged involvement of Mngqibisa.
More on Dina Pule
Pule implicated in assassination plan: report
Loading ...