By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress Women’s league (ANCWL) secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba to take interim charge of the league’s presidency, replacing Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe.
This follows a unanimous decision taken by the league’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at a special meeting in Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg East of Johannesburg.
The mother body’s national executive committee endorsed Integrity Commission’s recommendation that Tolashe step aside – both as ANCWL president and as NEC member.
She was found guilty of four counts and the recommendation was that, since the president already removed her as minister, she also needs to resign from other leadership roles.
The matter has been referred to the ANC’s national disciplinary committee, but Secretary General Fikile Mbalula was explicit: what happens to Tolashe in the interim is entirely the ANCWL’s call.
Mbalula delivered opening address at a special ANCWL NEC meeting on Saturday, 30 May 2026.
The Women’s League NEC needed to endorse the report and decide who will lead the organization.
Nqaba said the league accepted the Integrity Commission’s findings.
“We don’t doubt her as a member of the organisation, but as she said earlier, honour rests with us as individuals. It is about individual conscience and the integrity of the organisation.”
According to the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) Constitution, the president can only be permanently replaced by elected delegates at a National Conference. If a vacancy occurs, the National Executive Committee (NEC) can appoint an Acting President, but cannot permanently replace the elected leader without an elective conference.
Tolashe was removed as Minister of Social Development amid allegations that two luxury SUVs donated to the ANCWL by Chinese officials were registered in the names of her adult children.