Nokuzola Tolashe, the Minister of Social Development (Photo: GCIS)
The DA is going to file a complaint with the public protector against the Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe, over alleged breaches of the Ethics Act by members of the executive authority.
Nazley Sharif, the DA’s spokesperson on social development, says the decision follows “serious allegations” that Tolashe did not follow the right procedures and even disregarded the president’s authority.
The DA argues that the minister himself apparently acted against the former director-general, Peter Netshipale, and also started the process of appointing a new director-general, without proper authorization.
According to the Civil Service Act, it is the president’s responsibility to make decisions about directors-general, including appointments and disciplinary actions.
“For a minister to act on behalf of the president, there must be a clear mandate. According to reports, this was not the case.”
Reports indicate that President Cyril Ramaphosa also warned the minister in writing about possible violations of the law and demanded that an advertisement for a new DG position be withdrawn. The advertisement was later withdrawn and an acting DG was appointed.
“This indicates a clear failure to follow the proper legal processes,” says Sharif.
The latest developments follow a previous ethics complaint against the minister, in which she was accused of misleading parliament about Netshipale’s appointment. This case is currently still before the ethics committee.
“We have come to the conclusion that parliament has been misled on two occasions.”
Sharif says there is also further concern about contradictory explanations about Netshipale’s contract, as well as reports that the authenticity of a contract letter is being investigated.
Other allegations include that Tolashe allegedly did not declare the donation of two vehicles in 2023 and may have misrepresented the nature of these donations.
“Together, these issues point to a pattern of conduct that raises serious questions about the minister’s fitness for office.”
The DA also plans to request the portfolio committee on social development to summon the minister to account.
“There is too much controversy surrounding the minister and she must account for this. It is the parliament’s responsibility to hold the executive to account.”
According to Sharif, South Africans deserve a department of social development that is properly managed and focused on service delivery.