BREAKING: Minister Sacked Over Luxury Car Scandal
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sacked Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe amid mounting controversy over allegations that she concealed luxury vehicles allegedly donated by a Chinese delegation and misled Parliament about their ownership.
The dramatic removal, announced by the Presidency with immediate effect, came weeks after the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) laid criminal charges against Tolashe, accusing her of fraud, dishonesty and improperly registering the vehicles in the names of her children.
The Presidency said Ramaphosa dismissed Tolashe in terms of section 91(2) of the South African Constitution, triggering a major shakeup in the Department of Social Development.
In a brief statement, the Presidency also announced the appointment of Sindisiwe Chikunga as acting Minister of Social Development pending the appointment of a substantive replacement.
“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,” the statement said.
The dismissal followed criminal charges laid against Tolashe by the Democratic Alliance on April 23, 2026, over allegations relating to luxury motor vehicles allegedly donated by a Chinese delegation.
According to the DA, two possible scenarios existed regarding the vehicles.
“Firstly, the vehicles were donated to the Minister personally, and she failed to disclose this donation to Parliament and subsequently lied to Parliament about the alleged non-disclosure,” the party said.
“Secondly, that the vehicles were donated to the ANCWL, and that the Minister fraudulently registered these vehicles in the names of her children to shield the assets from attachment by creditors of the ANC.”
The opposition party said it had provided the South African Police Service with “sufficient evidence that warrants investigation.”
The DA described the allegations as “an extremely serious” matter, saying any attempt to deceive Parliament or manipulate creditors for personal gain represented “a direct assault on the rule of law.”
The party insisted that public office bearers “must be held to the highest ethical and legal standards,” warning that any breach of such standards must carry consequences.
Among the allegations listed by the DA were claims of lying to Parliament, potential fraud, fraudulent registration of vehicles and possible theft-related offences under South African law.
The party cited potential violations under Section 27 of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliaments and Provincial Legislatures Act, as well as provisions of the National Road Traffic Act.
The DA further disclosed that it had previously filed an Ethics Committee complaint against Tolashe over allegations that she misled Parliament regarding the appointment of her Director-General, alongside a Public Protector complaint involving the same official.
The opposition party also said it had written to President Ramaphosa seeking clarification on whether Tolashe obtained the necessary approval to accept and retain “two luxury motor cars.”
“We will also ask questions about the proceeds of the sale of the motor vehicles and where the money is,” the DA stated.
Tolashe has yet to publicly respond to the allegations or her dismissal.
