There has been mixed reactions to President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to fire Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe.
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has been accused of acting against those seen as “politically weak while ignoring real crimes” following his decision to fire the Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe.
The MK Party stated that the firing was an “obvious ploy” by the president to distract and make it appear he was acting against wrongdoing while he ignores real wrongdoing, including allegations against himself.
In a statement released by the presidency, Ramaphosa confirmed yesterday that Tolashe was dismissed in terms of Section 91(2) of the Constitution, which gives the president the authority to appoint and remove ministers. Ramaphosa’s decision to dismiss Tolashe follows mounting pressure from political parties calling for her sacking over allegations linked to two luxury vehicles reportedly intended for the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL).
The MK Party stated that the president should have acted against himself in light of the numerous allegations against him, as well as against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said: “This is just a ploy to target those who are politically weak. The president has fired the minister of higher education, dismissed the deputy minister of transport and industry, and now the minister of social development. “If he can act so swiftly, he should have acted against Mchunu, who has classified documents that should not have been classified. He is acting against someone who is politically weak.”
“He should have acted against himself because he also broke the law by trading while in office. He might claim that the Phala Phala farm had a manager and that he was not aware of what was happening, but the truth is he had control of the trust that owned the farm, so he knew what was happening in its bank accounts,” he said. The president has been under pressure to act against the minister. According to reports, DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis wrote to Ramaphosa on April 30, demanding that the president fire Tolashe.
DA national spokesperson Jan de Viliers previously stated that the charges include allegedly lying to Parliament — a potential offence of fraud and a violation under Section 27 of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act — as well as fraudulent vehicle registration under the National Road Traffic Act and possible theft.
ActionSA MP Dereleen James also filed criminal charges against Tolashe, accusing her of misleading Parliament about the source and use of the vehicles allegedly donated to the ANCWL. James additionally lodged complaints with the Public Protector and Parliament’s Ethics Committee, alleging breaches of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act and the Code of Conduct.
However, political analyst Professor Musa Xulu said the minister’s actions had compelled the president to act. He noted that the difference between the two cases is that the president may have looked at Tolashe’s explanation for why she registered the cars in the names of her children. She claimed she wanted to hide them from the ANCWL register because the League or the ANC mother body has many creditors.
The fact that she did not declare this in Parliament may have been seen as a valid reason for her dismissal. “With the case of Minister Senzo Mchunu, there has not been tangible evidence brought forward by anyone to either the Madlanga Commission or the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee that would warrant his dismissal. “There is a lot of hearsay evidence. In reality, by seeking to disband the PKTT and ordering the investigation of the Matlala tender, Mchunu may have unintentionally opened a can of worms about the underhand operations of the SAPS.”
Political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela said it seems like the president has double standards. He said the matter against Minister Mchunu was so severe that a commission of inquiry was necessary. On the issue of Tolashe, he said her actions were even against the party that would have protected her.
He said she had appeared to be anti-party as she had allegedly redirected the cars meant for the ANCWL to her family members.
“The president needed something to distract the people because all eyes were on his resignation or impeachment. He cannot afford to let go of power not knowing what could become of him when he is no longer president. So, he will hold on until he runs out of options,” he said. Tolashe is accused of receiving SUVs allegedly donated by Chinese representatives in late 2023 for the ANCWL.
They were allegedly registered in the names of Tolashe’s children. Additional allegations against Tolashe involve the extension of her department director-general’s contract and the appointment of 22-year-old Lesedi Mabiletja as acting chief of staff. Mabiletja is the niece of Tolashe’s special adviser, Ngwako Kgatla.
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.
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