R15,308 still owed to the State: Malatsi finally orders recovery from Pule's companion

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has ordered the recovery of more than R15,000 from businessman Phosane Mngqibisa, a decade after he travelled overseas at State expense as the companion of former communications minister Dina Pule. The move comes after a parliamentary question from DA MP Nazley Sharif exposed that the department had simply failed to follow up on the outstanding amount.

The money relates to trips Mngqibisa took with Pule, now the Social Development Minister, during her time at the communications portfolio. Pule's reappointment to Cabinet in July sparked public outrage, with many South Africans pointing to the damning findings of former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and Parliament into her conduct.

What did the Public Protector find against Dina Pule?

In a report released in December 2013, Madonsela found that Pule improperly represented to her department that Mngqibisa was her spouse, in violation of the Executive Ethics Code. The minister later admitted they had a romantic relationship, but revealed that Mngqibisa was married to someone else under civil law and was therefore not entitled to spousal benefits.

The investigation found that R89,326.35 was inappropriately spent when Mngqibisa accompanied Pule on an official visit to Mexico in September 2009. Madonsela ordered the department to reclaim the funds and audit all overseas trips Mngqibisa took at State expense.

How much did Mngqibisa repay and what remains outstanding?

According to Malatsi's response to Sharif, Mngqibisa received benefits totalling R104,635 for the Mexico trip and a subsequent extension to New York. This covered his flights, accommodation and car hire.

Mngqibisa reimbursed the department R89,326.35 on July 18, 2013. However, the Special Investigating Unit found that this payment did not include expenditure linked to the New York extension, because the department was not aware of it at the time.

“It has become apparent that the department did not follow up on the recovery of the outstanding amount of R15,308.65. The minister has instructed the department to initiate the necessary process to recover the outstanding amount from Mr Mngqibisa.”

Malatsi added that the department has been instructed to ensure the recovery is followed through to finalisation.

Is Pule facing any criminal consequences?

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia recently confirmed that the Hawks, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, probed a case arising from the parliamentary investigation into Pule's breaches of the Code for MPs.

“The investigation has been finalised and the case docket was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for decision,” Cachalia said.

The Ethics Committee had referred the matter to the police and the National Prosecuting Authority over a potential breach of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliaments and Provincial Legislatures Act.

Why does this matter for accountability in South Africa?

This case is yet another reminder of how the powerful can exploit State resources with impunity, and how slow the system is to hold them to account. It took a decade, a parliamentary question and the minister's explicit instruction for the department to act on a debt that was never in dispute. For ordinary South Africans, the lesson is familiar: when the State's money is misused, the recovery is often an afterthought.

The question now is whether the National Prosecuting Authority will finally act on the Hawks' docket, and whether Pule, who sits in Cabinet today, will face any consequences for her conduct.