ActionSA has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately dismiss Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe, accusing her of misleading Parliament over controversial luxury vehicles allegedly received from Chinese officials.
In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday, ActionSA Member of Parliament Dereleen James said the minister had “blatantly misrepresented facts” and attempted to conceal the true nature of the vehicles, which were reportedly intended for the benefit of her daughters.
The call follows revelations contained in a media investigation which questioned the origin and intended use of the vehicles. According to ActionSA, Tolashe initially failed to respond to parliamentary questions on the matter before later stating that the vehicles had been donated to the ANC.
However, the party argues that this explanation does not withstand scrutiny.
“If such a donation had indeed been made to the ANC, it would have been declared to the Independent Electoral Commission in line with political funding regulations,” James said. “The fact that no such declaration exists raises serious concerns about the accuracy of the minister’s response.”
The ANC has also reportedly distanced itself from the matter, with senior party officials indicating they have no knowledge of the alleged donation. ActionSA says this further undermines Tolashe’s explanation and points to what it describes as a deliberate attempt to mislead Parliament.
James said the failure to disclose the vehicles in parliamentary declarations suggests an effort to conceal their receipt.
“A minister who misleads Parliament undermines the very institution responsible for holding the executive accountable. This is not a minor lapse — it strikes at the heart of democratic oversight,” she said.
ActionSA has also called for a full investigation into the circumstances under which the vehicles were allegedly received, questioning why a cabinet minister would accept high-value items from foreign officials.
“The nature and purpose of such a ‘gift’ must be interrogated. It is highly irregular and raises serious ethical and possibly legal concerns,” James added.
Track record under scrutiny
Tolashe, who was appointed as Minister of Social Development following the 2024 general elections, has overseen a department responsible for critical social welfare programmes, including the distribution of social grants to millions of vulnerable South Africans.
During her tenure, the department has faced ongoing challenges, including delays and administrative issues linked to grant payments, as well as continued pressure to expand social relief measures amid high levels of poverty and unemployment.
While some progress has been noted in stabilising certain payment systems, critics argue that deeper structural issues within the department remain unresolved. Civil society organisations have also repeatedly raised concerns about inefficiencies and the accessibility of services.
The latest allegations now add to mounting pressure on the minister, with opposition parties increasingly questioning her leadership and credibility.
At the time of publication, neither Tolashe nor the Department of Social Development had responded to the allegations or ActionSA’s call for her dismissal.
The Presidency has also not indicated whether any action will be taken.
ActionSA maintains that the matter cannot be ignored, warning that failure to act would send the wrong message about accountability within government.
“The President must act decisively if he is serious about upholding integrity in public office,” James said.
As the controversy unfolds, attention is likely to turn to whether further investigations will be launched — and whether the political pressure will translate into concrete action. African Times will update once comments have been received.
