PRETORIA, Thursday 14 May 2026 — President Cyril Ramaphosa removed Nokuzola “Sisisi” Tolashe from her position as Minister of Social Development and appointed Sindisiwe Chikunga as acting minister pending a permanent appointment.
The Presidency said Ramaphosa had acted in terms of section 91(2) of the Constitution. Its initial announcement did not provide detailed reasons for the dismissal.
Ramaphosa later told the National Assembly that he had discussed the matter with Tolashe, allowed her to make submissions and reached his decision after considering those submissions and the conduct expected of members of the executive.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development said the change came while several senior positions in the department were already being filled in an acting capacity and said it would engage the department and acting minister on continuity.
