Lumka Oliphant accuses Tolashe of diverting attention from allegations the minister is facing

Former Social Development spokesperson Lumka Oliphant says Minister Sisisi Tolase is diverting attention from the allegations of misappropriation she is facing. 

Tolashe has accused her former spokesperson of orchestrating a smear campaign following multiple media reports about her conduct. 

The minister has come under fire for failing to declare two vehicles received from Chinese officials, which she claimed were donated to the ANC Women's League but were reportedly given to her children. 

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In a statement, Tolashe did not directly address the allegations, instead accusing Olifant of leaking information to the media.

Oliphant, however, insists that the minister should focus on coming clean about the claims against her. 

"It is a pity that she chooses to be the one who diverts attention on the multiple things that she needs to account for. I did not appoint an unqualified person in my office. I did not defy Cabinet and the president by giving the Director-General a five-year contract, against the one year that was recommended."