Former transport minister Sbu Ndebele faces an uncertain future as this country's ambassador to Australia - as government mulls moves to remove him from his diplomatic posting in Canberra because of corruption charges.
Well-placed government officials told The Times that Ndebele was likely to be recalled to South Africa this week.
The officials said that he would then be removed from the Department of International Relations' payroll.
Department spokesman Nelson Kgwete refused to discuss the reports.
Ndebele could not be reached for comment and his staff in Canberra have not responded to questions e-mailed on Friday night.
Ndebele was appointed ambassador to Australia in May last year after he quit as an MP in 2014 when President Jacob Zuma dropped him from the cabinet.
Ndebele's corruption charges relate to a R2-billion tender awarded to Tasima for the management of the National Traffic Information System at a cost of close to R2-billion. He is alleged to have accepted a R10-million bribe.
He is due in court on December1.
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