The ANC Women's League has placed president Sisisi Tolashe on a leave of absence pending ANC disciplinary proceedings.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
The ANC Women's League (ANCWL) has placed former minister and league president Sisisi Tolashe on a leave of absence pending the outcome of ANC disciplinary proceedings, with secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba set to assume the functions of president in terms of the organisation's constitution.
The decision was taken at a Special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, Gauteng, on Saturday.
The development comes after the ANC instructed Tolashe to resign as a Member of Parliament, weeks after President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed her from Cabinet following allegations linked to the receipt of luxury vehicles from Chinese officials intended for the ANC Women's League.
Tolashe has been accused of allegedly misleading Parliament regarding two vehicles reportedly donated by Chinese representatives. She is also facing allegations relating to irregular appointments and contract extensions during her tenure.
Further claims involve two BAIC Beijing X55 SUVs, reportedly valued at between R400,000 and R500,000 each, which were allegedly registered in the names of her adult children after being received in late 2023.
Additional allegations against Tolashe include the extension of a director-general's contract, the appointment of a 22-year-old acting chief of staff, and claims that a state-funded food aide worked at her private residence in the Eastern Cape rather than at official government residences.
Both ActionSA and the DA have opened criminal cases and approached Parliament's portfolio committee seeking further investigation into allegations of maladministration.
The ANC has also referred Tolashe to its disciplinary structures, with ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula confirming that the matter was among those referred to the party's National Disciplinary Committee following the Integrity Commission's findings.
According to Nqaba, the ANCWL Special NEC was attended and addressed by Mbalula, who presented the ANC NEC's decision in response to the findings of the ANC Integrity Commission regarding allegations made against Tolashe.
Nqaba said the ANCWL NEC had extensively discussed the ANC's decision and reaffirmed the league's obligation to comply with decisions taken by the governing party.
"Notwithstanding the gravity of the allegations made against Comrade Tolashe, the ANC Women's League cannot negate the doctrine of natural justice and the presumption of innocence, which is enshrined in Section 35 of the Constitution of the Republic," Nqaba said.
She said the ANC had not directed Tolashe to step aside, but had instead subjected her to disciplinary processes.
"Therefore, in acknowledging that the ANC has not directed the ANCWL President to be placed on Step Aside, but subjected her to the ANC Disciplinary process, the Special NEC resolved on the following matters," Nqaba said.
She said the NEC had unanimously agreed that Tolashe should take a leave of absence to focus on the disciplinary proceedings.
"The ANCWL NEC unanimously took a decision for the President to take leave of absence in order for her to focus on the disciplinary processes of the ANC," Nqaba said.
Nqaba said ANCWL officials would inform Tolashe of the decision, which will remain in effect pending the finalisation of the ANC disciplinary process.
She said the ANCWL would immediately implement the provisions of its constitution relating to leadership succession.
"The above-mentioned rules direct the organisation that in the absence of the President and the Deputy President, which is the case at this moment in the ANCWL, 'the Secretary General shall assume the functions of the President'," Nqaba said.
The NEC also called on ANCWL members to remain disciplined while the ANC concludes its internal processes.
"The NEC further calls on all our members to observe the highest discipline, as we navigate this difficult time in the life of our movement, and we must allow the ANC to exhaust its processes, as guided by the constitution and the NEC, which is the highest decision-making body between conferences," Nqaba said.
Nqaba said the ANCWL remained committed to the renewal of the ANC and to advancing "decisive action towards the full liberation and emancipation of women".
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