By Simon Nare
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has uncovered irregular appointments and systemic failures in recruitment processes in the office of Social Development Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, intensifying scrutiny over staffing decisions within the department.
The findings come after parliamentary committees questioned appointments and management practices in the ministry, with the Portfolio Committee on Social Development saying it had monitored concerns over irregular recruitment since October 2025.
In a statement on Thursday, the committee said the PSC investigation confirmed “serious systemic failures” in recruitment processes, centring on the appointment of Lesedi Mabiletja as private secretary and later acting chief of staff.
“The PSC found that she did not meet the required qualifications or experience and had misrepresented her credentials, including falsely claiming higher qualifications and work experience,” the committee said.
It added that the commission identified failures by senior officials who facilitated the appointment despite non-compliance with public service regulations.
According to the committee, the PSC also found that the minister’s special adviser, Ngwako Kgatla, and former chief of staff, Zanele Simmons, altered Mabiletja’s curriculum vitae to include qualifications and experience not contained in the original version submitted to Kgatla.
The PSC has provisionally recommended disciplinary action against several officials, including a senior human resources practitioner and a former chief director for human capital management, for supporting the appointment despite what it described as clear shortcomings.
The commission further found that a former director-general contravened public service regulations and financial management laws by approving the appointment.
The PSC directed that disciplinary proceedings for fraud be instituted against Mabiletja over the alleged misrepresentation of qualifications and experience, although she has since resigned.
It also recommended action against a former chief of staff for alleged misrepresentation on official documents, but the committee noted that the official had already been dismissed.
“The committee also noted that the PSC’s directives are binding and can only be set aside through the courts,” it said.
While acknowledging that ministers rely on officials for administrative processes, the committee stressed that ultimate accountability rested with Tolashe.
“The minister may rely on officials for administrative processes, but she cannot abdicate her responsibility. She must satisfy herself that every appointment, without exception, is done in line with the law, policy and prescripts governing the public service,” the committee said.
The committee also said it would refer allegations involving a food aide employed at Tolashe’s Cape Town residence to the PSC for investigation.
The aide has alleged that the minister’s daughter demanded half of her state salary, claims Tolashe has denied knowledge of.
Last month, ActionSA MP Dereleen James laid criminal charges against Tolashe, accusing her of misleading parliament over the origins of two luxury vehicles allegedly linked to the ANC Women’s League.
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