ANC Directs Sisisi Tolashe to Resign from ANC Women’s League Leadership
In a decisive move announced after a weekend meeting of the African National Congress’s (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC), the party’s senior leadership has instructed former Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe to step down as president and Member of Parliament of the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL). The directive follows a ruling by the ANC’s Integrity Commission that found Tolashe guilty of four charges, the most serious of which involves allegations of abuse of women.
Integrity Commission’s Findings
The Integrity Commission’s report, which was fully endorsed by the NEC, concluded that Tolashe’s conduct breached the party’s ethical standards. A source close to the process told TimesLIVE:
“The Integrity Commission has decided on her dismissal from the leadership of the Women’s League. The biggest problem here is the abuse of women. She cannot stand up for women’s rights while facing allegations of abusing women.”
The commission’s decision was based on a series of investigations that examined:
- Allegations of abuse of women, cited as the core violation;
- A controversy surrounding a Chinese‑donated vehicle reportedly received during her tenure;
- Claims of mistreatment of a household food worker employed at her official residence;
- A review of appointments made while she served as Minister of Social Development, which raised concerns about procedural fairness.
Leadership Response and Procedural Steps
Following the Integrity Commission’s verdict, the NEC not only accepted the findings but also escalated the matter to the party’s National Disciplinary Committee. In an official statement, the ANC confirmed:
“Following this confirmation, the NEC decided to refer all five matters to the national disciplinary committee, with the NEC itself acting as complainant.”
Secretary‑General Fikile Mbalula added that his office would begin implementing the resolution immediately, which includes notifying the ANCWL of the leadership vacancy and preparing for an emergency meeting to discuss succession.
Implications for the ANC Women’s League
The ANCWL now faces a leadership vacuum at a critical juncture. As the organization’s president, Tolashe had been a prominent voice on gender‑based violence and women’s economic empowerment. Her removal raises questions about the league’s upcoming programmes and its ability to maintain momentum on advocacy initiatives.
Political analysts note that the incident could affect public perception of the ANC’s commitment to gender equality, especially given the party’s recent emphasis on women’s representation in government.
Next Steps
- The ANCWL will convene an emergency meeting to ratify Tolashe’s resignation and discuss interim leadership arrangements.
- The National Disciplinary Committee will conduct a formal hearing, allowing Tolashe to present her defence.
- Depending on the committee’s outcome, further sanctions — ranging from a suspended membership to expulsion — may be imposed.
- The ANC’s NEC will monitor the process and may issue additional guidance to ensure compliance with the party’s integrity framework.
