By 
The Presidency has on Thursday, 14 May 2026, confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Minister for Social Development Ms Sisisi Tolashe with immediate effect.
Tolashe has had a dark cloud over her head for a while, to a point that the African National Congress (ANC) GNU partner the Democratic Alliance (DA) called on Ramaphosa to remove Tolashe as minister with immediate effect. Ramaphosa has acted swiftly following reports of the suspension of her adviser who is allegedly involved in the irregular appoint of his niece for a position she was not qualified for.
“The Government of National Unity must be held to a higher standard of accountability, integrity and clean government. South Africans did not vote for a continuation of weak accountability and political protection. They voted for change, seriousness and a government that acts when public trust is compromised,” said the DA Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis.
The Presidency in a brief statement announced the removal of Tolashe from her duties as minster for the Department of Social Development.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of section 91(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, removed Minister Sisisi Tolashe from the position of Minister of Social Development.
In the interim, President 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,” said the Presidency.
