By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of section 91(2) of the Constitution of South Africa dismissed the embattled Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe .
Tolashe has been facing a growing number of controversies in recent months involving donations to the African National Congress (ANC) Women’s League, of which she is the president, to dodgy appointments in her personal office and the alleged misuse of State-paid personnel employed to work in her official residence.
On 6 May, Tolashe appeared before the parliamentary portfolio committee on social development to answer questions about several allegations, and she denied the allegations, rejecting claims that she had been dishonest with parliament.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the president had weighed the decision carefully against the backdrop of issues that had already played out publicly.
“He has felt that due to a number of issues, a lot of which have been ventilated in the public domain, it was best to remove the minister,” he said.
In the interim, Ramaphosa has appointed Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga as the acting minister in the portfolio pending a full-time appointment in due course.
The Department of Social Development (DSD) is a critical portfolio for the government, managing over 60% of the government’s non-interest spending—almost R300 billion in public funds.
The department is overseeing a budget allocation of R292.8 billion for social grants in 2026, aimed at supporting over 26 million beneficiaries.
The department serves pensioners, children, people with disabilities, grant beneficiaries and families who depend on the state in moments of deep hardship.
Political parties have welcomed the decision to fire Tolashe, following months of controversy.
Lumka Oliphant, former social department spokesperson, also celebrated Tolashe’s axing. “What an early birthday present from the president!” she said while also posting videos of her excitement on her social media.
Oliphant has been critical of the minister for a long time. The minister recently blamed Oliphant for orchestrating a deliberate and sustained campaign to mislead the public and undermine her leadership.
Since the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Ramaphosa has only fired one minister, former Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, while shifting Minister Thembi Simelane to a different portfolio when they were embroiled in controversy.