Pretoria – Following several allegations of misconduct, misuse of public funds, nepotism, and ethical breaches, President Cyril Ramaphosa has relieved Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe of her duties.
On Thursday, 14 May 2026, the Presidency announced: “President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in adherence to section 91(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, dismissed Minister Sisisi Tolashe from her role as Minister of Social Development.”
“Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa has appointed Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, to serve as the acting minister for the portfolio until a permanent successor is named,” added the statement.
In recent times, Tolashe, who also holds the position of President of the African National Congress’s Women’s League (ANCWL), has faced unfavorable media scrutiny.
In 2023, she was alleged to have accepted or facilitated the receipt of two BAIC Beijing X55 SUVs valued at a combined R1 million, donated by Chinese representatives for the ANCWL.
Reports suggested that Tolashe misled Parliament about the intended use of these vehicles, which were instead registered in her children’s names.
Additional accusations included irregular hiring practices within her department and lavish expenditures on an overseas trip.
Tolashe reportedly appointed her relative, Lesedi Mabiletja, as a private secretary and later as acting chief of staff, despite the latter lacking the necessary qualifications for the role.
Recently, claims have emerged that Tolashe deducted the salary of her state-funded assistant—who was intended for ministerial residences in Cape Town/Pretoria—to instead assign them to complete personal household tasks at her residence in East London.
