Ramaphosa hints at further ministerial dismissals after Sisi Tolashe's removal

President Cyril Ramaphosa has indicated that more ministers and senior officials, including suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, could be dismissed following the conclusion of the Madlanga Commission's investigation.

Ramaphosa was responding to questions from MPs in Parliament on Thursday.

Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Nazley Sharif praised the president for removing Sisi Tolashe but warned that his credibility now depends on whether he takes action against ministers accused of more serious misconduct.

“Will the president keep the momentum going?” Sharif demanded during a tense parliamentary session.

Tolashe was removed from the Cabinet on Thursday following a cloud of controversy that had engulfed her department and office for months.

She faced a parliamentary ethics investigation over allegations that two luxury SUVs, reportedly donated by Chinese vehicle manufacturers to the ANC Women’s League, were registered under her children’s names.

Her office was also rocked by damning findings from the Public Service Commission, which revealed that her special adviser allegedly manipulated a relative’s CV to secure a private secretary position.

In a separate scandal, another official was controversially elevated to acting Chief of Staff despite lacking the required qualifications — a move tied to a multi-million-rand salary package.

But Sharif made it clear that Tolashe’s dismissal should not be the end of the purge.

She directly challenged Ramaphosa on whether ministers would be banned from accepting luxury gifts, particularly from foreign governments and business interests.

Ramaphosa defended the current system, insisting members of the executive were required to declare gifts above a certain value.

“Upon receipt of that declaration, we can say yes, you may accept, or no, you may not accept,” Ramaphosa said.

“You can rest assured that we do have a credible process in government through which the executive can deal with these sorts of matters.”

The president, however, stopped short of committing to immediate action against Mchunu, who has remained on special paid leave since July 2025 after allegations linked him to corruption and collusion with criminal syndicates.

Mchunu was accused of interfering in police investigations to protect criminals and attempting to dismantle the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

The DA later laid criminal charges against him for allegedly misleading Parliament about his ties to certain individuals.

Mchunu has denied wrongdoing and cooperated with investigators by handing over his electronic devices.

Still, Ramaphosa said that Mchunu’s fate rested with the Madlanga Commission.

“As regards the minister that has been suspended, I have said publicly that I am waiting for the outcome of the Madlanga Commission,” he said.

“It is upon receipt of such that a determination will be made.”