FILE PHOTO: Axed minister of social development Sisisi Tolashe. PICTURE: GCIS
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0 Ramaphosa had fired his Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday afternoon dismissed Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe from Cabinet, invoking his constitutional powers amid a wave of allegations that had dogged her tenure for months.
The Presidency confirmed the dismissal in a formal statement, stating that Ramaphosa had acted in terms of Section 91(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which grants the president authority to appoint and remove ministers.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that Ramaphosa had spoken to Tolashe directly before making his decision public. “He has had engagements with the minister, and he did inform the minister of his decision to remove her from office,” Magwenya said.
Magwenya added that the president had weighed the decision carefully against the backdrop of issues that had already played out publicly. “He has felt that due to a number of issues, a lot of which have been ventilated in the public domain, it was best to remove the minister,” he said.
The Allegations
Tolashe had faced mounting allegations of corruption, misconduct, and misuse of public funds — including her failure to declare two luxury SUVs donated to the ANC Women’s League, which she leads. The vehicles were later reportedly registered in her children’s names, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
She was also accused of having a food aide employed through the Department of Social Development redirected to work at her private residence in East London. Additionally, the Democratic Alliance laid criminal charges against Tolashe for misleading Parliament.
On 6 May, Tolashe appeared before the parliamentary portfolio committee on social development to answer questions about the allegations, including irregular appointments and governance failures within her department.
Political Pressure
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis had written to Ramaphosa on 30 April demanding that the president fire Tolashe. ActionSA, for its part, had laid criminal charges of corruption and filed an ethics complaint with Parliament, as well as a complaint to the Public Protector for violations of the Executive Ethics Act.
What Happens Next
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.
Magwenya dismissed suggestions that a broader Cabinet reshuffle was imminent. “The president hasn’t briefed me about a wholesale reshuffle at this stage. He was dealing with a particular issue that he had undertaken to attend to, and he has done that,” he said.
Ramaphosa is currently facing questions on the matter as he appears before Parliament later.
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