The dismissal of Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has been widely welcomed.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced he had fired the Minister less than an hour before a Parliamentary Q&A where he would face questions on the allegations against her.
Ramaphosa told MPs during the Q&A session he had carefully considered all reports on the allegations, including accusations of maladministration and failing to declare donations to Parliament, before deciding to remove her from Cabinet.
He said he had requested a report from Tolashe and later met with her in person to hear her side.
“Having considered all these submissions by the Minister and mindful of the conduct expected of members of the executive, I have decided to remove the Minister.”
Recent media reports detailed allegations that Tolashe failed to declare luxury vehicles allegedly gifted by a Chinese delegation, irregular staff appointments and the reported use of state funds to employ a nanny at her private residence.
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has been appointed as acting Social Development Minister pending a full-time appointment.
The Western Cape MEC of Social Development, Jaco Londt, has welcomed Tolashe’s removal, adding that the new permanent appointment must serve with transparency, honour and respect.
He says that among the priorities for the new Minister must be better service delivery by SASSA to the residents of the Western Cape.
“The Government of National Unity has shown that progress is possible with some Ministers changing their departments for the better. We are looking forward to having a national Social Development Minister willing to work in a constructive and collaborative manner with integrity and a clear focus on serving vulnerable people who depend on government’s support.”
Political parties have also welcomed the President’s decision.
DA Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says Tolashe’s position in the Cabinet was untenable, and the President has done the right thing. He has called on Ramaphosa to urgently make a permanent appointment.
“South Africans deserve a competent and credible Minister who can lead this critical department with integrity, stability and a clear focus on serving vulnerable people who depend on its support.”
ActionSA MP Dereleen James says Tolashe’s axing was long overdue. ActionSA was the first party to lay criminal charges against the former Minister.
“This outcome is a clear vindication of ActionSA’s relentless efforts to expose corruption at the highest levels of government. It was ActionSA, through a written parliamentary question, that blew the lid on the Minister’s receipt of a foreign “gift” of two SUVS from Chinese officials in the ongoing Cars-for-Cadres scandal engulfing Ministers in the GNU.”
James says Tolashe should face criminal charges, and she must be denied any loss-of-office gratuity payouts as she leaves office in disgrace. James says there should also be deductions from her government pension.
