Cape Town – The Department of Social Development (DSD) has defended spending over R3 million on a trip to New York for the UN Commission on the Status of Women conference, saying the expenditure brought long-term diplomatic and policy benefits for South African women and girls.
According to The Citizen, presenting a detailed report to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Appropriations, the department revealed that seven officials attended, with Deputy Director-General Sizakele Magangoe alone accounting for over R1 million of the total cost.
The breakdown included R1.09 million for flights, R1.33 million for accommodation, R423,964 for transport, and R159,065 for allowances. Critics labelled the trip a taxpayer-funded “joyride”, but the DSD insisted all spending complied with National Treasury rules and noted that, converted into dollars, the R3 million equated to about $150,000.
The presentation comes amid mounting public concern over possible misuse of funds and growing tension within the department.
The controversy deepened after the department suspended its spokesperson, Lumka Oliphant, on 1 September 2025, following Sunday Times reports about the cost of the trip.
The suspension was allegedly linked to claims that Oliphant leaked sensitive details about the delegation’s accommodation and travel expenses.
Oliphant, however, has rejected the suspension, describing it as politically motivated and retaliatory after the Sunday Times exposé on Minister Tolashe’s trip.
WATCH | The Department of Social Development has suspended its Chief Director of Communications, Lumka Oliphant. Speaking to SABC News, Oliphant claims that she is being targeted. pic.twitter.com/t352KzBjZH
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 1, 2025
“I have just received a letter of suspension from the department following an exposé by the Sunday Times on a trip to New York where Minister Sisisi Tolashe spent R3 million for two weeks,” she wrote.
“The department, and Sisisi in particular, believe I leaked the information to the Sunday Times and to previous reports by the City Press, simply because I have worked with almost every journalist and at City Press in particular.”
Oliphant accused the minister and senior officials of undermining her, politicising internal processes and engaging in factionalism, while insisting that the Auditor-General’s findings implicate senior management — not her.
“She [Tolashe], who does not even have a Grade 12, has been ridiculing my work even though I remain one of the best-performing heads of communication in government, according to GCIS,” Oliphant added.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
