President Ramaphosa Dismisses Minister Tolashe Following Allegations of Misconduct

Pretoria – In light of numerous allegations concerning misconduct, misuse of public resources, nepotism, and ethical violations, President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe.

In a brief announcement made on Thursday, 14 May 2026, the Presidency stated: “President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in accordance with section 91(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, removed Minister Sisisi Tolashe from her position as Minister of Social Development.”

“In the meantime, President Ramaphosa has appointed Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, as the acting minister for the portfolio until a permanent appointment is made,” the statement added.

In recent weeks, Tolashe, who also serves as the President of the African National Congress’s Women’s League (ANCWL), has faced negative media coverage.

In 2023, she was accused of receiving or facilitating two BAIC Beijing X55 SUVs worth a total of R1 million, which were donated by Chinese representatives for the ANCWL.

Reports indicated that Tolashe misled Parliament regarding their intended purpose and usage, with the vehicles being registered under her children’s names instead.

Further allegations included irregular appointments within her department and extravagant spending on an overseas trip.

Tolashe is said to have appointed her relative Lesedi Mabiletja as a private secretary and subsequently as acting chief of staff, a position for which she lacked the necessary qualifications.

Recently, there have also been claims that Tolashe deducted the salary of her state-funded assistant, who was meant for ministerial residences in Cape Town/Pretoria, to instead deploy her to perform personal household duties at her residence in East London.