Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe.
Image: Jairus Mmutle / GCIS
Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe on Wednesday insisted that she did not mislead Parliament about the controversial vehicles she received from the Chinese on behalf of the ANC Women’s League.
Tolashe told the Social Development Portfolio Committee that the vehicles were raised in parliamentary questions from ActionSA MP Dereleen James.
“In that question, I made it clear that they were meant for the ANCWL, not me. That is why I did not declare,” she said.
“There is a perception that I misled Parliament. However, I want to reiterate that I did not mislead Parliament,” said the minister.
Tolashe has since been reported to the Ethics Committee by the DA and ActionSA for allegedly misleading Parliament and failing to declare the donation.
Tolashe told the MPs that she has since filed an affidavit to the Ethics Committee.
“The matter is at that point, which will require us to leave it until it is concluded. This is a political matter, however, the political organisation (ANCWL) is dealing with the matter,” she said.
The minister also clarified the issue of a food aide, who was appointed as part of ministerial staff.
It has been reported that the food aide was paid by the department and had half her salary paid to Tolashe's daughter when she was looking after her grandchildren at her East London home.
Tolashe confirmed that the food aide was appointed under public service regulations at her official residence in Cape Town and was relocated to the Eastern Cape when she fell ill due to an ancestral calling.
She denied knowledge of any money being paid from the food aide's salary to her daughter's bank account.
“They had their own arrangement. There were no formal contracts for these payments. Funds were transferred privately. I got to be informed rather than department payroll discussion,” said Tolashe.
The minister also provided an update on several matters within her department, including the dismissal of two officials, Lumka Oliphant and former chief of staff Zanele Simons, and the contract of former director-general Peter Netshipale.
She told the MPs that the dismissal of Oliphant and Simons was under arbitration.
“This is how far I can go about these two ladies.”
Regarding Netshipale's contract, Tolashe said she had been asked in a parliamentary question, and replied that it was for one-year because Cabinet took that decision.
She said Netshipale was not given five-year terms, as he was already 64 at the time of his appointment.
However, Tolashe said it transpired later that her electronic signature was attached to his contract.
She said she had ordered a forensic investigation, and a preliminary report gave an indication that her electronic signature was used.
Tolashe added that Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi, whose department is responsible for crafting employment contracts of top officials, has owned up to the error in the contract for showing five years instead of one.
“Minister Buthelezi wrote a letter to ourselves and also to the Ethics Committee because the matter was escalated to ethics, and there was an allegation that I misled Parliament.”
Tolashe said she had written to Netshipale to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
“This was to inform him of my steps going forward. He did make his representation in trying to explain. The unfortunate thing is that the DG’s letter was leaked and an impression was created that I was stalking the DG for a disciplinary process, which was not the case.”
DA MP Nazley Sharif noted with concern that Tolashe was not taking accountability of her scandals, as she presented herself as being at no fault but other people.
Sharif noted that she was throwing her daughter under the bus regarding the food aide saga.
She asked the Public Service Commission to investigate the food aide issue.
“Everybody is misleading you from the department to the ministry. It shows a trend that you don't have a grip on what happens in the department and ministry. It does point that you are not fit to hold office,” Sharif said.
Committee Chairperson Bridget Masango put her foot down when some MPS wanted to discuss the donation of Chinese vehicles.
Her sentiment was echoed by ANC MPs, who felt the Ethics Committee was handling the matter.
“Can we get clarity on what to discuss? It seems I can't ask any of my questions,” said ActionSA MP Derelen James, who raised the issue of vehicles strongly.
Regarding the food aide issue, Public Service Commission Chairperson Somadoda Fikeni said they will get involved in an investigation if it concerns civil servants, but referred them to the Public Protector if it involves a minister.
“We would also appreciate receiving the forensic report on the issue of the DG or other officials involved. We will revert to the committee once we make findings,” he said.
Cape Times