The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) has placed its president, Sisisi Tolashe, on special leave of absence pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings initiated by the African National Congress.
In a statement confirmed by ANCWL Secretary-General Nokuthula Nqaba, the league’s National Executive Committee took the decision last week following a report presented by the ANC Secretary-General regarding allegations referred to the party’s integrity commission.
“The decision came because of the challenge we currently face with allegations about the cars,” Nqaba explained. “Our president was taken to the integrity commission of the ANC, and from that presentation, a decision was made that the president of the ANC Women’s League would be subjected to disciplinary processes.”
Nqaba will assume the functions of the presidency until the disciplinary process is concluded. She emphasized that Tolashe has not been suspended by the parent body, but that the leave of absence allows her space to focus on the proceedings.
“She is currently subjected to the disciplinary process, and because of that reason we had to take a decision on our own: if she’s subjected to disciplinary processes, therefore we must give her space to focus on that,” Nqaba said. “When that is finalized based on the decision that would be taken by the disciplinary committee itself, we will then act on that.”
Autonomy and Constitutional Principles
Addressing questions about the league’s autonomy versus the ANC’s recommendation that Tolashe resign from positions of power, Nqaba noted that while the integrity commission’s recommendations are binding, the league retains its constitutional processes.
“We have accepted the report from the ANC that covers also the recommendations from the integrity commission,” she stated. “Their decisions bind all of us. Whilst we have our own autonomy, we remain an integral part of the ANC and their decisions can’t be reversed by us as the leagues.”
Nqaba cited the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” as guiding the league’s approach, while acknowledging the need to protect both the ANC and ANCWL brands during sensitive proceedings.
Constituency Response and Leadership Cooperation
Responding to public criticism that the league may be delaying inevitable outcomes or shielding wrongdoing, Nqaba said the membership understands internal organizational processes.
“Our constituency has a better understanding of the internal processes of the organization which we have to prioritize above our own feelings about the matter itself,” she said. “We needed to respect that process and they do understand that in such instances we have to be guided by the constitution.”
Nqaba also shared that Tolashe has remained cooperative throughout engagements. “She has remained a human being much as we have all these challenges. So we treat her with respect still,” Nqaba said, adding that Tolashe has expressed willingness to accept whatever outcome emerges from due process.
“She’s very clear that whatever decision is taken, I am not above the organization. Nothing shall come to an end because I am going through this process. If it means that I should be taken aside, I am willing to do so without any hesitation.”
When asked what Tolashe admitted to, Nqaba clarified: “She admitted to the processes that she’s subjected to—that she’s not above any other process—and whatever decision we take will be on the basis of the report received. She maintains her innocence until proven guilty, which is why she accepts being subjected to the disciplinary process.”
Broader Context and Other Matters
Nqaba acknowledged that the ANCWL has noted calls from the ANC Veterans League for five senior members, including Tolashe, to step aside voluntarily following integrity commission recommendations. She confirmed the league accepts the ANC’s position while awaiting final outcomes.
Regarding separate media reports linking another league member to allegations involving multiple vehicles, Nqaba declined to comment, stating such matters fall outside her mandate. “Comrade Maropene Ramokgopa is the second deputy secretary of the ANC. It is indeed not my space to venture into that. I am not mandated to do so,” she said.
Nqaba also noted that the matter is currently subject to legal proceedings initiated by various political parties, and that the ANC is pursuing its internal disciplinary route concurrently.
The ANCWL has indicated it will act decisively once the disciplinary process reaches finality, in accordance with its constitution and the outcomes determined by due process.
