DA demands answers from Ramaphosa over Minister Tolashe’s double vehicle donation

The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants President Cyril Ramaphosa to clarify whether he permitted Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe to accept a double vehicle donation for her private use.

This, as political parties pile on the pressure for the president to act against Tolashe on suspicion that she corruptly redirected a donation meant for the African National Congress (ANC) Women’s League, to her children.

Tolashe is already in the president’s crosshairs for matters related to disciplinary action taken against the department’s former director general and the subsequent recruitment for a replacement.

READ: Tolashe planning forensic probe into bungle involving DSD DG's work contract

In a letter to the president, the DA’s Nazley Sharif points out that the vehicles Minister Sisisi Tolashe ostensibly received from Chinese officials exceed the R1,000 value of a gift that a Cabinet member may receive without his permission.

She wants to know whether President Ramaphosa gave his approval for the cars worth almost a million rand, one of which is believed to have already been sold.

Last week, the DA also lodged a complaint with the Public Protector for her handling of a disciplinary process against the former Director General of the Social Development department - Peter Netshipale - whose term ended last month.

In a letter from the president to Tolashe, he questions her decision-making and suggests she’s been acting outside of her powers not only to discipline Netshipale but also to begin a recruitment process to replace him.

Ramaphosa goes on to remind her that it’s his job to handle matters related to the recruitment and discipline of directors general.

On Wednesday, ActionSA MP Dereleen James opened a criminal case against Tolashe but said she had little faith in the president taking the necessary action against her.

"The president is aware of all these things. The president has knowledge of all of these things. We’ve had Ministers Simelane and now the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, nothing has been done, so I don’t even know if this man is going to act when it comes to this minister."

Tolashe is also facing fresh complaints from both parties to Parliament’s Ethics Committee, with no finding having yet been made in a related complaint submitted by the DA last year.