The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to remove Minister Sisisi Tolashe from her position as Minister of Social Development.
We urge the President to not only exercise his prerogative when it comes to appointing Tolashe’s replacement, but to ensure that the next Minister of Social Development is robustly assessed before appointment and conforms to the standards associated with those appointed to public office.
The ACDP believes that the charges levelled against former Minister Tolashe are of a profoundly serious nature and include the alleged acceptance of gifts of motor vehicles, as well as the illegal deduction of funds from the salaries of her government-paid helpers. These allegations, if proven, point to conduct that is wholly incompatible with the responsibilities of public office.
Members of the President’s Cabinet are entrusted with the highest levels of authority and must therefore be held to the strictest moral and ethical standards. Minister Tolashe clearly failed that test.
Ethics, integrity, and accountability are basic requirements for those entrusted to serve our people. We are of the view that those who do not practice these principles have the potential to erode public trust and undermine the rule of law.
We call on President Ramaphosa to act decisively, and not to do so selectively, against any member of his Cabinet who is found wanting.
The ACDP wishes to encourage all those holding public office to uphold the standards which are expected by the people of South Africa.
