The Democratic Alliance (DA) has formally written to President Cyril Ramaphosa seeking clarity on whether he personally approved Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe’s alleged receipt of luxury vehicles, as a series of scandals continues to engulf the department.
DA Social Development spokesperson Nazley Sharif confirmed that the party has also requested a proclamation for the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe multiple allegations, including the recent suspension of the minister’s special adviser, Ngwako Kgatla.
The move follows the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) finding that Katla manipulated a relative’s curriculum vitae to secure a senior government post. While Sharif welcomed Katla’s suspension, she expressed alarm that he remains on full pay.
“He’s suspended on full leave, on full pay. That’s going to cost taxpayer money – millions of rands,” Sharif said. “We urge the department and the HR process to be speedy and to get to the bottom of this quick, so it doesn’t cost the taxpayer one more cent.”
Sharif noted that the PSC’s investigation found evidence that a 22-year-old acting chief of staff had falsified her CV, a document sent by Katla to the then-chief of staff. The DA is now pushing for the recovery of salary payments made to the young official, who has since been removed.
“The acting chief of staff falsified her CV, and she was paid a lot of money. That money is taxpayers’ money, South Africans’ money, and it has to be recovered,” Sharif said.
The party wrote to President Ramaphosa on May 6 regarding an SIU investigation but has yet to receive a response. This follows an earlier unanswered letter concerning the alleged luxury SUVs given to Minister Tolashe, and a separate complaint to the Public Protector over the handling of the department’s Director-General.
Sharif accused the minister of misleading Parliament, citing a forensic report that reportedly found it “unlikely” that the minister’s signature was forged on disputed documents. “When she came to Parliament last week, she misled Parliament – and that is another reason for her to be fired,” Sharif said.
She further argued that a department tasked with protecting South Africa’s most vulnerable citizens cannot be led by individuals facing serious allegations of corruption and misconduct, pointing to ongoing grant payment failures as evidence of administrative collapse.
“Social development is the most important department in this country because it deals with the most vulnerable people. Just this month, beneficiaries of Sassa grants are complaining they’re unable to receive their grants. It’s a mess, and all of this is happening under the disgraced minister,” Sharif said. “The president has to act. He has to fire her – as soon as possible.”
