President Ramaphosa Removes Sisisi Tolashe As Social Development Minister Amid Recent Allegations

• President Cyril Ramaphosa has made a decision on Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe amid her involvement in several scandals
• The former minister was at the centre of several allegations, including involving luxury vehicles and also one over a State-funded nanny
• The Democratic Alliance leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, seemingly claimed credit for why Ramaphosa took the decision to remove Tolashe

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

GAUTENG – President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed Sisisi Tolashe from the position of Minister of Social Development on 14 May 2026.

The former minister has been at the centre of several controversial allegations of late, prompting calls for the president to remove her. She has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that she would not resign unless President Cyril Ramaphosa requests her to do so.

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She also stated that the matter was being looked at by the African National Congress and Parliament, saying that she would not be commenting further.

President Ramaphosa has appointed Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, in the interim. A full-time appointment will be made in due course.

Democratic Alliance takes credit for the decision

Shortly after news broke of the firing, Democratic Alliance leader Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed the news and seemingly took credit for the decision. The Mayor of Cape Town stated that he had asked the president to do something.

"After I asked the President to take action, he has finally fired Minister Tolashe, who has serious corruption allegations against her," he posted on X.

It wasn't just the DA who welcomed the news, as ActionSA did as well. The party's Member of Parliament, Dereleen James, earned praise online as some noted that she had been actively calling for Tolashe to be removed from her post.

James also pointed this out on X before Tolashe's dismissal, in response to an article about the DA leader calling for the minister to be fired.

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What you need to know about the allegations against Tolashe

• An investigation found that Tolashe allegedly received two luxury vehicles from Chinese officials.
• ActionSA opened a criminal case against the former minister over luxury gifts worth about R1 million.
• The ANC's Integrity Commission was preparing to investigate Tolashe amid claims that the vehicles went to her children.
• Minister Sisisi Tolashe defended registering the ANC Women's League vehicles in her children's names.
• Tolashe refused to resign over the allegations, insisting that only the president could remove her from her post.

Tolashe faces fresh allegations

Briefly News also reported that the embattled Tolashe was set to appear before Parliament over fresh allegations of misusing state funds.

Reports claim a public servant was allegedly hired under false pretences and made to work as a nanny in her private residence.

The Democratic Alliance has called for an investigation, as pressure mounted on Ramaphosa to take action.

Source: Briefly News