The Democratic Alliance (DA) has formally lodged a second ethics complaint against Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, with Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests following serious new allegations that strike at the heart of ethical governance.
At the centre of this complaint is the controversy surrounding vehicles allegedly received as donations from the Chinese Embassy, which the Minister has allegedly gone to great lengths to conceal or misrepresent.
Based on current reports, including the Minister’s own version of events, two deeply troubling scenarios emerge. The first is that the vehicles in question were donated to the Minister personally, and that she failed to disclose this in the Parliamentary Register of Members’ Interests, and subsequently misled Parliament regarding that non-disclosure. The second is that the vehicles were donated to the ANC Women’s League, and that the Minister fraudulently registered these vehicles in the names of her children to shield the assets from potential attachment by creditors linked to the ANC.
Whichever version proves to be true, both represent a clear and serious violation of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests.
The Code is explicit in its expectations. It requires Members to uphold principles of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, openness, honesty and leadership. It further obliges Members to act in accordance with the public trust, place the public interest above personal interests, and maintain confidence in the integrity of Parliament. The conduct alleged in this matter stands in direct contradiction to these foundational standards.
This latest complaint follows an earlier DA ethics complaint lodged on 17 October 2025, which raised concerns about the Minister’s conduct in relation to the irregular appointment of a Director-General, misleading Parliament on the terms of that appointment, shielding a special advisor facing serious misconduct allegations, and appointing an individual lacking the necessary qualifications and experience.
In addition to the ethics process, the DA has written to the President and approached the Public Protector regarding the handling of disciplinary processes and the advertisement of the Director-General post. The DA is also calling for a full parliamentary inquiry into governance failures within the Department of Social Development.
Social Development is a critical portfolio tasked with protecting the most vulnerable in society. It cannot be led by an executive member clouded by repeated ethical concerns.
The DA will continue to pursue accountability and ensure that ethical leadership is restored. We now await the outcome of the Ethics Committee’s investigation.