Ramaphosa fires Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe

Disclaimer: this article reflects information available on 15 May 2026. Cabinet appointments, parliamentary action and criminal proceedings may have developed further since publication. Refer to the cited sources for the latest position.

PRETORIA, 15 May 2026. President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe following weeks of pressure over her alleged failure to disclose two luxury vehicles donated to the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL). The announcement was made on 14 May 2026 by The Presidency.

Ramaphosa exercised his powers under section 91(2) of the Constitution, which allows the President to appoint and dismiss Cabinet ministers. The Presidency confirmed that Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has been appointed as acting Social Development Minister pending a permanent appointment.

The allegations against Tolashe

Tolashe, who is also president of the ANCWL, is accused of receiving two BAIC Beijing X55 SUVs from Chinese representatives in late 2023. Reports describe one white and one yellow vehicle, each valued at between R400,000 and R500,000, bringing the combined value to roughly R1 million.

The SUVs were reportedly registered in the names of Tolashe’s children. One of the vehicles was later sold. Tolashe is alleged to have failed to disclose the donations, despite the cars being intended for the ANCWL of which she is president.

Additional controversies

The luxury car scandal is not the only allegation against Tolashe. She is also facing scrutiny over:

• Alleged irregularities in the extension of her department’s director-general’s contract
• The appointment of 22-year-old Lesedi Mabiletja as acting chief of staff
• Claims that a state-funded food aide working at Tolashe’s private residence in the Eastern Cape was required to pay half of her R15,000 salary to Tolashe’s daughter for “household expenses”

Tolashe has previously denied wrongdoing on multiple matters.

Ramaphosa’s position

According to The Presidency, Ramaphosa met Tolashe before the dismissal to give her an opportunity to explain her position. The President said he was under no requirement to disclose the reasons for the dismissal, citing the discretionary powers vested in him under the Constitution.

The Presidency confirmed that Chikunga’s appointment as acting minister was effective immediately.

Criminal charges filed

Action SA and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have opened criminal cases against Tolashe at a Cape Town police station. The two parties also approached Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development to request a formal inquiry into alleged maladministration in the department.

The DA had repeatedly called for Tolashe’s removal in the weeks leading up to the dismissal. Action SA has indicated it will pursue the criminal complaint regardless of the Cabinet decision.

Impact on SASSA and the department

The Department of Social Development is responsible for the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), which administers grants to millions of South African beneficiaries. The leadership change comes during ongoing scrutiny of SASSA’s R370 SRD grant administration, including the ITSAA appeals backlog.

Acting Minister Chikunga inherits a portfolio under pressure on multiple fronts, including SRD reauthorisation discussions and debate around a Basic Income Grant. Beneficiaries waiting on appeals can still follow the SASSA appeal process through ITSAA, which operates independently of the minister’s office.

What happens next

The dismissal is likely to be followed by:

• A permanent appointment to the Social Development portfolio
• Parliamentary inquiries into the allegations
• Continued criminal proceedings driven by opposition parties
• Possible internal ANC disciplinary action against Tolashe

The ANC has not indicated whether Tolashe will retain her position as ANCWL president or her seat in the National Assembly.

Reaction from political parties

The DA welcomed the dismissal as long overdue. Action SA said the firing did not absolve Tolashe of criminal liability and confirmed it would continue with the cases opened in Cape Town.

For SRD beneficiaries concerned about whether the ministerial change affects grant payments, the SASSA payment cycle continues as scheduled. The administration of the R370 grant remains governed by the same rules and the same SRD grant means test that applied before the cabinet change.

The ANC has not issued a formal statement on the dismissal at the time of writing.