Cape Town – Social Development Minister Dina Pule is facing renewed scrutiny over a state-funded overseas trip involving her former companion, Phosane Mngqibisa, after it emerged that R15,308.65 remains outstanding more than a decade later.
According to MyBroadband, Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi told Parliament that the Department of Communications had identified R104,635 in expenditure linked to Mngqibisa’s state-sponsored trip to Mexico and New York while Pule was communications minister.
Malatsi said Mngqibisa had previously repaid R89,326.35 on 18 July 2013, but that payment did not cover costs associated with an extension of the trip to New York because the department had not been aware of the extension at the time.
“This amount comprised expenditure incurred by the department on his flights, accommodation and car hire,” Malatsi said.
The minister has now instructed the department to pursue recovery of the outstanding amount.
“The Department has been instructed to take the necessary steps to ensure that the recovery process is followed through to finalisation,” Malatsi said.
Parliament’s investigation
The development follows questions from DA MP Nazley Sharif, who sought confirmation that all money spent on Mngqibisa’s overseas travel had been recovered.
In a DA statement, Sharif said the parliamentary response indicated that Pule had not complied with remedial action arising from the Public Protector’s investigation in 2013. The DA said Pule was required to ensure that all money spent on Mngqibisa’s overseas trips was quantified and repaid.
The controversy dates back to Pule’s tenure as communications minister between 2011 and 2013. A 2013 report by the Public Protector, as reported by the Mail & Guardian, found that Pule had engaged in what then-Public Protector Thuli Madonsela described as “persistently lying and unethical conduct”. Madonsela recommended that Pule apologise to Parliament, the department and the Sunday Times.
Parliament’s investigation also found that Mngqibisa had benefited from privileges connected to Pule’s position. In a submission to Parliament, then ethics committee chairperson Ben Turok said evidence showed that Pule and Mngqibisa had travelled together to destinations including Mexico, New York, Kuala Lumpur, Paris and Prague, with at least one trip paid for by the Department of Communications.
Pule returned to Cabinet in July 2026 when President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed her Minister of Social Development. Government records confirm that she assumed the position on 1 July 2026.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
