Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday dismissed Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe following weeks of mounting corruption allegations against the senior member of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
Tolashe, who also serves as president of the ANC Women’s League, becomes the second senior official removed amid graft-related controversies in recent weeks, after the suspension of the national police chief last month.
Ramaphosa announced the dismissal in an official statement without giving specific reasons for the decision.
The move followed growing pressure from parties within South Africa’s coalition government after media reports linked Tolashe to alleged irregularities, accusations she has denied.
Among the allegations published by the Daily Maverick are claims that she failed to declare two vehicles reportedly donated to the ANC Women’s League by Chinese officials and later transferred them to her children.
She also faces allegations relating to irregular appointments within her ministry and claims that a state-funded employee working at one of her homes was required to hand over part of her salary to Tolashe’s daughter.
The dismissal came shortly after the Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in the unity government, publicly demanded her removal, accusing the ANC of frequently shielding compromised leaders.
Corruption allegations involving senior ANC figures have continued to damage public confidence in the party, which lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 general elections and was subsequently forced into a coalition government.
In July 2025, Ramaphosa suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu after allegations emerged linking him to organised crime activities.
The investigations later expanded to include national police chief Fannie Masemola, who was suspended last month alongside other senior officers.
Ramaphosa himself has also faced allegations of misconduct related to the reported concealment of a 2020 burglary at one of his private residences involving the theft of large sums of foreign currency.
The South African president has denied any wrongdoing, although parliament is reportedly considering impeachment proceedings over the matter.
