By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Department of Social Development (DSD) Minister Sisisi Tolashe is facing mounting scrutiny over controversial luxury vehicles received from Chinese company in a form of a donation.
The two vehicles retail for between R400,000 and R500,000 each new, bringing the total value of the donation to close to R1-million.
In a February 2026 written reply to ActionSA MP Dereleen James, Tolashe stated the SUVs had been donated by Chinese officials directly to the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) and therefore did not need to be declared in Parliament’s Register of Members’ Interests.
However, ANCWL SG Nokuthula Nqaba has indicated they have no record of the vehicles.
The contradiction has fuelled allegations that the minister may have attempted to mislead Parliament to conceal the true nature of the vehicles.
James 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 Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) 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.”
If Tolashe kept the donations as personal gifts, both the Executive Ethics Code (governing the conduct of Cabinet ministers) and Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests (governing the conduct of MPs) require her to disclose the cars as a gift.
James has since accused the minister of lying to Parliament.
“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.
James has also called for a full investigation into the circumstances under which the vehicles were received, questioning why a cabinet minister would accept high-value items from foreign officials.
She believes Tolashe’s actions may have criminal implications and warrant her immediate dismissal.
“If the president has any regard for the institution his appointed minister has so clearly disrespected, he must act without delay,” James said.
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.
The latest allegations now add to mounting pressure on the minister, with opposition parties increasingly questioning her leadership and credibility.
Tolashe faced severe criticism and parliamentary scrutiny in late 2025 regarding the appointment of an underqualified 22-year-old, Lesedi Mabiletja, as her Chief of Staff
The choice of chief of staff is at the discretion of the minister. It is a position on a par with some of the most senior government leaders, and is on the third highest salary band in all of government, currently worth almost R1.4-million annually in taxpayers’ money.
Mabiletja, who was born in 2002, lists as her sole qualification a Diploma in Information Technology undertaken part time at Rosebank College in Polokwane.
Her CV reveals that she has one year’s experience as “Manager Sales and Marketing” for the same college. Her duties included “distributing promotional materials and providing information about the college”.
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.