The Democratic Alliance has lodged a second ethics complaint against Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe with Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests over allegations involving vehicles allegedly received as donations from the Chinese Embassy.
The complaint centres on allegations that Tolashe either failed to disclose vehicles donated to her personally or fraudulently registered vehicles donated to the ANC Women’s League in her children’s names.
According to the DA, two scenarios emerge from current reports. The first is that the vehicles were donated to Tolashe personally and she failed to disclose this in the Parliamentary Register of Members’ Interests, subsequently misleading Parliament about the non-disclosure. The second is that the vehicles were donated to the ANC Women’s League and Tolashe fraudulently registered them in her children’s names 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,” DA national spokesperson Jan de Villiers said on 27 April.
The Code of Ethical Conduct requires members to uphold principles of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, openness, honesty and leadership. It obliges members to act in accordance with public trust, place public interest above personal interests, and maintain confidence in the integrity of Parliament.
ALSO READ: ActionSA lays criminal charges against social development minister over alleged undeclared gifts
The latest complaint follows an earlier DA ethics complaint lodged on 17 October 2025, which raised concerns about Tolashe’s conduct in relation to the irregular appointment of a director-general, misleading Parliament on the terms of that appointment, shielding a special adviser facing serious misconduct allegations, and appointing an individual lacking the necessary qualifications and experience.
ALSO READ: Opposition parties demand investigations into ministers over irregularities and misconduct
The DA has also written to the president and approached the Public Protector regarding the handling of disciplinary processes and the advertisement of the director-general post. The party is 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,” De Villiers said.
The DA said it will continue to pursue accountability and awaits the outcome of the Ethics Committee’s investigation.
ALSO READ: Calls for investigation into cabinet minister’s luxury vehicle scandal
