Cape Town – ActionSA MP Dereleen James has laid a criminal complaint of corruption against Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe at Cape Town Central Police Station, accusing her of deliberately misleading Parliament to conceal undeclared luxury gifts.
ActionSA on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, announced that it has undertaken three important actions to hold Minister Tolashe “accountable for deliberately lying to Parliament to conceal the undeclared luxury gifts she received”.
Allegations are that in 2023, Tolashe, then a deputy minister, received two SUVs from China, jointly worth about a million rand, ostensibly donated to the African National Congress (ANC) Women’s League, which Tolashe heads.
However, in response to ActionSA’s parliamentary question in February 2026, Minister Tolashe denied personally receiving a gift of two SUVs from China, claiming instead that the vehicles were donated to the ANC Women’s League.
“This explanation is fatally undermined by the facts,” ActionSA stated.
“The ANC Women’s League has publicly denied any knowledge of these vehicles.
“Official records show that the vehicles were registered in the names of the minister’s children, and one of the vehicles has already been sold, indicating private benefit.”
As a result, ActionSA MP James today, Wednesday, 8 April 2026, lodged multiple complaints against Minister Tolashe, including:
- a criminal complaint for corruption;
- Submitted a complaint to the Public Protector for breaches of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act; and
- Laid a formal complaint with Parliament’s Ethics Committee for breaches of the Code of Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests.
ActionSA has also called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to dismiss Minister Tolashe immediately, describing her conduct as unacceptable and potentially criminal.
James said the minister’s failure to declare the vehicles raised serious suspicion.
“In exchange for what were these two vehicles? That’s where the concern is for me,” she told reporters.
The Department of Social Development said it was preparing a response to the complaints.
Minister Tolashe has not issued any public comment on the latest developments.
