Minister Sisisi Tolashe Faces Questions After Claims About Luxury Car Donations Were Contradicted

• An explosive investigation has raised questions about claims by Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe that two luxury vehicles were donated to the ANC Women’s League
• The report found no record of the donation within the ANC Women’s League, with senior officials denying any knowledge of the cars
• Evidence cited in the probe suggests Tolashe’s children instead used the vehicles and were never declared

SOUTH AFRICA—Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe is in hot water after an investigation found that she allegedly received two luxury vehicles from Chinese officials. Reports indicate Tolashe said the cars, reportedly used by her children, were donated to the ANCWL; however, the organisation has denied any such donation.

What the investigation uncovered

An investigation by Daily Maverick has cast doubt on claims made by the Minister after she told Parliament in February 2026 that the two vehicles had been donated to the ANC Women’s League, and therefore did not need to be recorded in the official register of members’ interests.

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The situation began when Action SA member Dereleen James questioned the whereabouts of two “luxury 4x4 vehicles” believed to have been received from foreign officials. After months of delay, Tolashe denied personally receiving the cars, insisting they belonged to the ANC Women’s League.

But the Daily Maverick reports that both the ANC Women’s League and the ANC’s national leadership appear to have no record of such a donation.

Furthermore, the investigation traced the vehicles, identified as two BAIC Beijing X55 SUVs worth an estimated combined value of nearly R1 million, to Tolashe’s children. This was reportedly done using leaked images and vehicle registration data, tracking their movement since late 2024.

ANC Women's League responds

ANC Women’s League treasurer Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae said she was unaware of any vehicles owned or registered by the structure, while ANC treasurer-general Gwen Ramokgopa also indicated she had no knowledge of the matter.

Sources cited by Daily Maverick claim the cars were donated between October and December 2023, possibly through the Chinese embassy in Pretoria during the tenure of former ambassador Chen Xiaodong. The understanding, according to these sources, was that the vehicles were intended for the ANC Women’s League’s use.

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Despite extensive searches, the publication found no public record of any official handover or announcement, something usually done for high-value donations of this nature.

Meanwhile, journalist Clement Manyathela amplified the findings on social media platform X, noting that ANC Women’s League officials had denied any knowledge of the vehicles during an interview on his show. The post drew various reactions.

See the X post here:

Social media reactions

@PeakWorld9 stated:

"It's like corruption is a module in the ANC leadership school."

@GumbiJabulano asked:

"Is this different to Tony Yengeni's motor vehicle graft charge, years ago, for which he went to jail?"

@ms_tourist said:

"Again … After her NYC luxury trips with Ben 6."

@Kat_let_g0 commented:

"Question… if she declared, she would’ve been in the green?"

@AskNabz wrote:

"Tolashe has been a problem, and the ANC don't care, shame..they only care about themselves."

Action SA calls for Tolashe's dismissal

In a statement sent to Briefly News, Action SA MP Dereleen James called for the dismissal of the minister, stating that she had misled Parliament.

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“Having regard to the fact that the vehicles were not declared by the Minister to Parliament, the facts point clearly to an attempt to mislead Parliament in order to conceal the receipt of these vehicles. A minister who blatantly lies to Parliament commits an affront to the very institution constitutionally empowered to hold the executive to account,” she said.

James further called for a thorough investigation, citing that the minister’s failure to declare the vehicles points to an attempt to conceal their receipt.

“Action SA believes the minister’s actions, which may carry criminal implications, are simply unacceptable and warrant her immediate dismissal,” James added.

Minister in trouble for irregular hiring practices

In similar news, the Minister also landed in hot water over allegations of irregular hiring. Tolashe confessed to the irregular hiring of a 22-year-old to the role of Chief of Staff. The minister hired Lesedi Mabiletja to the role in the department back in September 2025. Furthermore, Tolashe reportedly fired former SASSA CEO Busisiwe Memela-Khambula on the grounds of irregular appointment by the previous minister and appointed acting CEO Temba Matlou permanently to the post.

Previously, Briefly News reported that an alleged inappropriate relationship between the Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, and her special adviser came to light. Daily Maverick shared pictures of a phone screen showing unverified, undated WhatsApp conversations allegedly between her and Kgatla. Sandy Godlwana, the spokesperson of the Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe, slammed allegations that Tolashe and her special adviser Ngwako Kgatla have an inappropriate relationship.

Source: Briefly News