Minister Tolashe denies knowledge of salary sharing claims involving daughter

Embattled Social Development Minister, Sisisi Tolashe, has denied any knowledge of allegations that a state-funded food aid worker was forced to share half of her salary with her daughter.

Tolashe was responding to tough questions from Members of Parliament during her appearance before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development on Tuesday.

The minister has come under scrutiny in recent weeks, including over claims that she misled Parliament regarding the donation of two Chinese vehicles.

Addressing the committee, Tolashe said the worker, Nomathamsanqa Kuhlane, was temporarily employed in line with Public Service Amendment regulations and that she had no knowledge of any financial arrangement involving her daughter.

“Sir, on this salary that was split into two, I can categorically state that Kuhlane was employed by the department in the official residence in Cape Town. When it comes to the payments to the daughter, sir, I have no knowledge because Kuhlane’s salary came straight from the department to her bank account,” she said.

“Kuhlane got ill when she was appointed, and you have to realise that I was reported that she’s unable to stay in Cape Town because of her state of health.

“She was then told that she had to be in Eastern Cape. It is when she was in the Eastern Cape, staying with my daughter, that between the two of them,  they had their own arrangement, which I was not aware of.”

However, ActionSA MP Dereleen James told the committee that documentary evidence suggests otherwise, with bank statements, payslips and appointment letters indicating that half of Kuhlane’s salary was missing.

“A payslip shows that she was being paid a net monthly salary of R15,814 but her banking records show that she was only  keeping half her salary, because here it shows her details, it shows a full salary going in, and it shows half her salary going into your daughter’s bank account,  and here we have the cooked contract.”

Meanwhile, presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa is considering the matter.

“The Minister has delivered her report to the President, articulating her side of the story with respect to the vehicles and other issues.  As you know, the President prefers to take his time when he’s dealing with such matters and so he will not be under any form of pressure to arrive at whatever decision he may arrive at.”

He added that Ramaphosa is expected to engage the minister in the coming weeks before deciding on any action.

Minister Sisisi Tolashe treats South Africans like we’re popeyes who can’t read.

Bank records, a payslip and an appointment letter on a ministerial letterhead clearly show that her food aid had half her salary taken away from her.

Unethical, deceitful, unlawful and downright… pic.twitter.com/0SO1PvExF7

— Dereleen James MP (@DereleenJ) May 6, 2026

🎈‼️🔥 Minister Tolashe and her drama in parliament 🙆‍♀️ Is this phone voice note supposed to exonerate her? pic.twitter.com/e1CGVPqEeH

— Siyakhula (@misumuzi_4) May 6, 2026

Public Service commission releases a report of corruption and fraud committed by the daughter in law of Minister of Social Development! Sisi Tolashe!

People are eating ! While you are busy blaming Julius Malema for things he is not responsible for! pic.twitter.com/ljwGXFmK5a

— Mr Ayee🔴🟢⚫️🪓🇿🇦🇿🇦 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦💯 (@AyeeNdeM) May 6, 2026