By Thapelo Molefe
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has opened a criminal case against Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe, who also serves as ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) president, over allegations involving luxury vehicles linked to her and her family.
DA national spokesperson Jan de Villiers said the party opened the case at a Cape Town police station on Thursday, accusing the minister of “deliberately deceiving authorities for her personal gain”.
The case centres on several luxury vehicles said to have been donated by the Chinese embassy and later used by Tolashe and her family.
The DA alleges the cars were registered in her children’s names.
De Villiers outlined two possible scenarios, both of which raise serious concerns.
“Firstly, the vehicles were donated to the minister personally, and she failed to disclose this to Parliament and subsequently misled Parliament,” he said.
Under this version, Tolashe would have breached disclosure rules and provided false information to lawmakers.
“Secondly, the vehicles were donated to the ANC Women’s League, and the minister fraudulently registered them in her children’s names to shield the assets from attachment by creditors of the ANC,” he added.
In this scenario, the vehicles may have been moved out of reach of creditors by placing them under her children’s ownership.
The DA said it has submitted evidence to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“We have provided sufficient evidence that warrants investigation,” de Villiers said.
The DA becomes the second political party to act against Tolashe. Dereleen James of ActionSA laid charges under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act roughly two weeks ago.
Both complaints hinge on claims that Tolashe misled Parliament by failing to declare the vehicles, reportedly intended as a donation to the ANC Women’s League.
The league, however, has said it is unaware of any such donation.
The DA has also lodged a complaint with Parliament’s Ethics Committee and approached the Public Protector over a separate matter involving the appointment of her director-general.
In addition, the party has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa seeking clarity on whether Tolashe obtained permission to accept and retain the vehicles.
It is also seeking answers on what became of the cars.
“We will also ask questions about the proceeds from the sale of the motor vehicles and where the money is,” de Villiers said.
He described the allegations as serious.
“Any attempt to deceive Parliament or manipulate creditors for personal or improper gain represents a direct assault on the rule of law,” he said.
De Villiers said the minister would have to account to both Parliament and law enforcement authorities.
“She will have to answer to Parliament through a full inquiry and to investigating authorities,” he said.
The DA has called for a full, independent probe.
“We demand a comprehensive and independent investigation so that the full might of the law is brought to bear,” he said.
Last week, Tolashe said she registered two high-end BAIC vehicles in her children’s names to prevent them from being attached, as they risked seizure if registered under the ANCWL.
INSIDE POLITICS
