South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe following mounting allegations of corruption involving senior officials in government and the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
The presidency announced the decision on Thursday, saying Tolashe had been removed from office but providing no official reason for the dismissal.
Tolashe, a senior figure in the ANC and president of its influential Women’s League, is the second high-profile official to be sidelined in recent weeks amid widening graft-related controversies.
Her exit comes after increasing pressure from opposition parties in South Africa’s coalition government, which had called for her removal following media reports alleging irregularities in her conduct. She has denied any wrongdoing.
According to reports, one of the allegations involves undeclared vehicles reportedly donated to the Women’s League by Chinese officials, which were allegedly transferred to her children.
Other claims include irregularities in ministry appointments and allegations that a state-funded domestic worker at one of her residences was required to surrender part of her salary to a family member.
The dismissal adds to a growing list of corruption scandals affecting the ANC, which has faced declining public trust since losing its parliamentary majority in the 2024 elections and entering a coalition government.
It also follows the suspension of other senior officials in separate investigations linked to alleged misconduct and organised crime connections within the police service.
President Ramaphosa himself continues to face unrelated allegations over the handling of a 2020 burglary at his farm, though he has denied any wrongdoing.South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe following mounting allegations of corruption involving senior officials in government and the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
The presidency announced the decision on Thursday, saying Tolashe had been removed from office but providing no official reason for the dismissal.
Tolashe, a senior figure in the ANC and president of its influential Women’s League, is the second high-profile official to be sidelined in recent weeks amid widening graft-related controversies.
Her exit comes after increasing pressure from opposition parties in South Africa’s coalition government, which had called for her removal following media reports alleging irregularities in her conduct. She has denied any wrongdoing.
According to reports, one of the allegations involves undeclared vehicles reportedly donated to the Women’s League by Chinese officials, which were allegedly transferred to her children.
Other claims include irregularities in ministry appointments and allegations that a state-funded domestic worker at one of her residences was required to surrender part of her salary to a family member.
The dismissal adds to a growing list of corruption scandals affecting the ANC, which has faced declining public trust since losing its parliamentary majority in the 2024 elections and entering a coalition government.
It also follows the suspension of other senior officials in separate investigations linked to alleged misconduct and organised crime connections within the police service.
President Ramaphosa himself continues to face unrelated allegations over the handling of a 2020 burglary at his farm, though he has denied any wrongdoing.
