WATCH | ‘Witch-hunt!’ – Minister Tolashe hits back over R1.4m job scandal involving 22-year-old aide

Pretoria – Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has dismissed allegations of irregular appointments in her office as a deliberate attempt to tarnish her reputation.

She appeared before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development following reports that her 22-year-old personal assistant, Lesedi Mabiletja, had been irregularly appointed as chief of staff in September 2024, earning about R1.4 million annually despite lacking experience and allegedly being the niece of Tolashe’s adviser and alleged lover, Ngwako Kgatla.

Tolashe denied involvement in the irregular appointment, blaming her former chief of staff, Zanele Simmons, for acting without authority, falsifying Mabiletja’s CV, and facilitating the process against HR advice.

“Given the administrative nature of this process, it was delegated to the chief of staff, who works jointly with human resources [division] in the department.

“At the time, I had no reason to suspect that the then chief of staff would betray my trust and undermine the recruitment and selection of ministry support staff,” she said.

“It has since been established that the appointment of Ms Lesedi Mabiletja as a personal assistant to the minister was found to be irregular.

“A preliminary investigation revealed misrepresentation and dishonesty on her CV and serious procedural irregularities in her appointment,” the minister added.

Both Simmons and Mabiletja were suspended with full pay, and Simmons has since been dismissed, though she is contesting the decision.

The case has been referred to the Public Service Commission for an external probe.

Tolashe also responded to claims that Kgatla was “double-dipping”, explaining that as a special adviser appointed by the executive authority, he falls outside the department’s disciplinary scope.

The matter has been referred to the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities for further action.