The Democratic Alliance has announced it will submit detailed parliamentary questions to Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopa following allegations she received undisclosed luxury vehicles, adding to mounting pressure on the executive over a Chinese SUV donation scandal.
The move comes after Daily Maverick investigations revealed that Ramokgopa allegedly accepted three Chinese BAIC SUV vehicles without declaring them in Parliament’s Register of Members’ Interests for 2023, 2024, and 2025.
This follows separate allegations against Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe, who faces claims she misled Parliament about two luxury SUVs that were supposedly donated to the ANC Women’s League but were instead given to her children for personal use.
According to the Daily Maverick investigation, five BAIC X55 vehicles were donated by Chinese representatives in late 2023, intended for the ANC Women’s League. At the time, Tolashe served as president of the organisation and Ramokgopa as national coordinator.
However, sources allege that instead of reaching their intended destination, the vehicles were distributed for personal use. Tolashe reportedly received two vehicles, while Ramokgopa allegedly accepted three.
DA spokesperson on planning, monitoring and evaluation Darren Bergman said the allegations raise serious concerns about compliance with the Executive Ethics Code, which regulates gift acceptance by cabinet members.
“The Code stipulates that no member of Cabinet, whether national or provincial, may accept or retain any gift exceeding the value of R1 000 without first obtaining permission from the President,” Bergman stated.
When questioned by Parliament in February, Tolashe claimed the vehicles were donated to the ANC Women’s League and therefore did not require declaration. However, both the ANC and the ANC Women’s League have denied having any knowledge or record of such donations.
ANC Women’s League Treasurer Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae confirmed to Daily Maverick this week that the organisation has no knowledge of any vehicle donations.
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Ramokgopa’s spokesperson Phetole Rampedi has denied the allegations, stating that “the minister has never received any cars from Chinese officials.”
The scandal represents a significant political challenge for President Cyril Ramaphosa, particularly given Ramokgopa’s position as one of his most trusted allies and a member of the ANC’s Top Seven leadership structure.
Tolashe has previously faced scrutiny over allegedly misleading Parliament. The DA filed an ethics complaint against her in October 2025 for allegedly misleading Parliament about employment matters, including issues concerning her department’s director-general.
The DA has indicated it will pursue full accountability should evidence emerge of breaches of the Executive Ethics Code. The party previously wrote to the chairperson of the Social Development Portfolio Committee regarding the Tolashe allegations.
“South Africans deserve an Executive that operates with transparency and integrity. The DA will not allow any violations of the Executive Ethics Code to go unaccounted for,” Bergman said.
The investigation continues as both ministers face mounting pressure to provide detailed explanations about their alleged receipt of luxury vehicles and compliance with disclosure requirements.
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