President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Sisisi Tolashe as Minister of Social Development following mounting controversy surrounding governance and appointment irregularities within the Department of Social Development (DSD).

In a statement issued on Thursday, 14 May 2026, the Presidency confirmed that Ramaphosa acted in terms of Section 91(2) of the Constitution to remove Tolashe from office. The President has appointed Sindisiwe Chikunga as Acting Minister of Social Development pending a permanent appointment.

Even though the Presidency did not explicitly give reasons for the dismissal ,it follows recent parliamentary scrutiny into allegations of irregular appointments, governance failures and possible misconduct within the DSD. During a heated Portfolio Committee on Social Development meeting earlier this month, the Public Service Commission revealed provisional findings that implicated several senior officials in alleged fraud, misrepresentation and irregular recruitment processes.

Among the key issues investigated were the controversial appointment of former ministerial aide Lesedi Mabiletja, alleged manipulation of qualifications and experience records, disputes surrounding the former Director-General’s contract, and concerns over governance failures within the department.

Although the Public Service Commission stated that it had not found direct evidence implicating Tolashe personally in the irregular appointments, Members of Parliament raised serious concerns over accountability, oversight failures and instability within the department.

The Presidency has not yet announced who will permanently replace Tolashe in the Social Development portfolio.

-The VIP Team 

-Sa Presidency