PSC recommends Tolashe’s ‘unethical’ conduct be referred to public protector

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has recommended reporting former minister of social development Sisisi Tolashe to the public protector for “unethical” conduct related to allegations that she exploited a junior staffer for her personal benefit.

The PSC’s preliminary report found that Tolashe’s conduct in relation to how the food aide was hired and treated was questionable.

The report found that Tolashe was the architect of an arrangement that saw the aide paying almost half her government salary to the minister’s daughter, Khanyisa, for groceries at her private residence.

It also found that the aide, initially meant to be stationed at Tolashe’s ministerial house in Pretoria, was irregularly moved to the minister’s private residence in the Eastern Cape, where she performed duties beyond those she was hired for.

Apart from recommending that Tolashe be reported to the public protector for “irregular/unethical conduct”, the report suggests that the aide should be advised to consider taking legal action to “claim any monies or benefits to which she is entitled”.

The report, sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa — who axed Tolashe at the height of the scandals surrounding her — and the new minister of social development, Dina Pule, paints a grim picture of how the aide was forced into handing over nearly half her salary.

It found that the department’s then chief of staff, Zanele Simmons, was responsible for drafting the letter that stated the aide would receive a R15,800 salary, R7,000 of which would be used for groceries at Tolashe’s private Eastern Cape home.

During her interview by the PSC’s investigating team, Simmons said she followed Tolashe’s instructions when drawing up the letter.

Ms Khanyisa Tolashe, despite having confirmed her willingness and availability, did not honour the meeting arrangements. In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, the PSC determines that the monies were paid into Ms Khanyisa Tolashe’s account as a result of a salary arrangement between herself and [the aide]

According to the report, Simmons said she did not question Tolashe’s instructions “as she did not know about their prior private arrangement back home [in the Eastern Cape] since they both come from the same area. She was concerned that raising questions could jeopardise her employment.”

Khanyisa Tolashe received a transfer of R14,000 in December 2024, leaving the aide with a mere R1,800 for the festive season.

“Ms Khanyisa Tolashe, despite having confirmed her willingness and availability, did not honour the meeting arrangements. In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, the PSC determines that the monies were paid into Ms Khanyisa Tolashe’s account as a result of a salary arrangement between herself and [the aide],” the report says.

It adds that the aide “was paid R7,000 in cash by Tolashe via her daughter Khanyisa for the first three months of her employment between September and November.