Ramaphosa axes, Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe
Social Development Minister Sisi Tolashe has been axed from her job.
Image: Phando Jikelo/RSA Parliament
President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to mounting pressure from the Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA by dismissing Sisisi Tolashe from her position as Minister of Social Development.
This unexpected Cabinet shake-up was announced on Thursday, with the Presidency confirming that Tolashe's removal was made in accordance with Section 91(2) of the Constitution, which grants the president the power to appoint and remove ministers.
Ramaphosa's decision comes amid growing calls from various political parties for Tolashe's ousting, primarily due to allegations involving two luxury vehicles that were reportedly intended for the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL).
The vehicles - a white and a yellow BAIC Beijing X55 SUV - are each valued at between R400 000 and R500 000, bringing their combined estimated value to nearly R1 million.
Tolashe is accused of receiving SUVs allegedly donated by Chinese representatives in late 2023 for the ANCWL.
They were allegedly registered in the names of Tolashe’s children.
Action SA and the Democratic Alliance (DA) opened criminal cases at a Cape Town police station. They approached Parliament’s portfolio committee to request an inquiry into allegations of maladministration within Tolashe’s department.
According to reports, DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis wrote to Ramaphosa on April 30 demanding that the president fire Tolashe.
Ramaphosa bent the knee, although the Presidency did not provide reasons for her removal.
Ramaphosa’s decision to dismiss Tolashe follows mounting pressure from political parties calling for her removal over allegations linked to two luxury vehicles reportedly intended for the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL).
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has been appointed acting Minister of Social Development until a permanent replacement is named.
The move places fresh attention on leadership within the Social Development Department, which oversees critical welfare programmes affecting millions of South Africans.
Tolashe, an ANC Women’s League President, had recently faced growing scrutiny over allegedly registering donated vehicles to the league under her children’s names.
ActionSA MP Dereleen James also filed criminal charges against Tolashe, accusing her of misleading Parliament about the source and use of the vehicles allegedly donated to the ANCWL.
James additionally lodged complaints with the Public Protector and Parliament’s Ethics Committee, alleging breaches of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act and the Code of Conduct.
Additional allegations against Tolashe involve the extension of her department director-general’s contract and the appointment of 22-year-old Lesedi Mabiletja as acting chief of staff.
Mabiletja is the niece of Tolashe’s special adviser, Ngwako Kgatla.
However, she denied any involvement, saying the department made the appointments.
She is also facing accusations linked to a state-funded food aide who worked at her private home in the Eastern Cape instead of her official residences in Pretoria or Cape Town.
The aide allegedly paid half of her R15 000 monthly salary to Tolashe’s daughter for household expenses.
Tolashe said she had no role in that arrangement.