Minister Sisisi Tolashe Summoned by ANC NEC Following Allegations of Diverting Chinese Vehicle Donations to Family

Minister Sisisi Tolashe must explain why Chinese SUVs donated to the ANC were registered to her children. Fikile Mbalula warns of ethical consequences.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 11:06 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EWN

High Level Accountability Within the Ruling Party

The African National Congress has formally summoned Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe to appear before its National Executive Committee to address a scandal involving donated luxury vehicles. Tolashe, who also serves as the president of the ANC Women’s League, is facing intense scrutiny over the alleged diversion of assets intended for the party. This development marks a significant escalation in the internal pressure on the minister, as the party's top brass seeks to verify her version of events following a series of investigative reports.

Allegations of Nepotism in Asset Management

The controversy centers on two SUVs donated by unidentified Chinese officials to the ANC Women’s League in 2023. Recent disclosures suggest that instead of registering these vehicles under the party’s name, Tolashe registered them in the names of her children. While the minister has admitted to the arrangement, she maintains that her actions were not motivated by personal gain but were a desperate measure to safeguard the vehicles. During the period in question, the ANC was facing severe financial distress, and Tolashe claims she feared the assets would be seized by creditors.

Divergent Explanations to the Integrity Commission

In a separate submission to the ANC’s Integrity Commission, Tolashe defended her decision to keep the vehicles in her family’s possession. She argued that the SUVs were never technically hers, which is why she did not declare them to Parliament as personal assets. However, this explanation has been met with skepticism by opposition parties and civil society groups. Organizations like ActionSA have already moved to open criminal cases against the minister, alleging a failure to declare significant donations as required by the Executive Ethics Code.