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ANC ices Sisisi Tolashe — but remains silent on second minister in SUV scandal

Daily Maverick · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · · 1197 words · By Rebecca Davis
Political accountability Internal ANC Conflict Corruption allegations
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What to know about Political accountability

The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) president, Sisisi Tolashe, is on “special leave” following her axing by President Cyril Ramaphosa as minister of social development, with secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba assuming Tolashe’s ANCWL functions on an interim basis…

Claims checked 16
Techniques found 3
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left14%
Center72%
Right14%

7 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) president, Sisisi Tolashe, is on “special leave” following her axing by President Cyril Ramaphosa as minister of social development, with secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba assuming Tolashe’s ANCWL functions on an interim basis…

Why it matters

The decision, taken unanimously by the ANCWL’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at a special meeting in Boksburg on Saturday and confirmed in an ANCWL statement on Monday, follows the ANC’s highest decision-making body’s endorsement of the party’s Integrity…

Common ground

It looks, on the surface, like accountability in action.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Whataboutism, Selective Omission: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-06-01-anc-ices-sisisi-tolashe-but-r…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 3 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 70% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Whataboutism 90% confidence
Deflecting criticism by pointing to a different issue.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing whataboutism helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Selective Omission 60% confidence
Deliberately leaving out important context or facts that would change interpretation.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing selective omission helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 16 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 6
schedule Pending 6
info Single Source 2
help Insufficient Evidence 2
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Claim 1: “A second such vehicle... was seen being used by members of the family of Luvo Makasi, a close Ramokgopa associate, in a township near Whittlesea in the Eastern Cape”
CORROBORATED
Three independent sources confirm that a BAIC SUV was reportedly used by the family of Luvo Makasi in a township near Whittlesea, Eastern Cape.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 14, 2026 ... Our tip-offs indicated that the remaining BAIC SUV might be in use by the Makasi family, in a township near Whittlesea in the Eastern Cape.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-14-exclusive…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 14, 2026 ... ... BAIC X55 SUVs worth around R500,000 each. Sources say ... township near Whittlesea, Eastern Cape, driven by members of the Makasi family.
https://www.theazanian.com/post/chinese-suv-donations-haunt-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 17, 2026 ... Our tip-offs indicated that the remaining BAIC SUV might be in use by the Makasi family, in a township near Whittlesea in the Eastern Cape.
https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/daily-maverick/2026…
schedule
Claim 2: “The ANC NEC’s statement of 26 May... mentions a number of other ANC “comrades” beyond Tolashe referred to the party’s National Disciplinary Committee... former Police Minister Bheki Cele, ANC regional secretary Jason Mkhwane, Matjhabeng Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha and Johannesburg ANC councillor Sithembiso Zungu”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 3: “Daily Maverick traced one of those vehicles to Ramokgopa’s son, Xhantilomzi Ntuli, whose name appeared on the registration records for a yellow BAIC X55 from January 2024”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the general SUV scandal is mentioned in other claims, the specific evidence provided for claim 5 consists of general profiles of Maropene Ramokgopa and does not mention Xhantilomzi Ntuli or registration records for a yellow BAIC X55.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — ANC NGC | Party to discuss key issues facing South Africa: Maropene Ramokgopa. – Отметки "Нравится". 114 Просмотры.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS-slX7dik4
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Minister Maropene Ramokgopa. Search. Political Principals Profiles.The notable milestone of her political career is her election as the first Second Deputy Secretary General of the ANC at the party’s …
https://www.dpme.gov.za/about/Pages/Minister-Maropene-Ramokg…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — MAROPENE RAMOKGOPA | SA is advancing a renewed era of global partnerships.
https://www.businessday.co.za/author/Maropene_Ramokgopa/
schedule
Claim 4: “Tolashe defended herself by claiming the vehicles had been donated to the league rather than to her personally”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 5: “the deputy presidency spot has been empty since the death of Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe in May 2025”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 6: “the ANC’s highest decision-making body’s endorsement of the party’s Integrity Commission’s findings against Tolashe and the referral of her matter to its National Disciplinary Committee”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources indicate that the ANC referred senior members, specifically mentioning Sisisi Tolashe, to the National Disciplinary Committee following findings/recommendations from the integrity commission.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Nokuzola Gladys Tolashe (born 21 December 1959), also known as Sisisi "Sisi" Tolashe, is a South African politician from the Eastern Cape. A member of the African National Congress (ANC), she was the…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisisi_Tolashe
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 26, 2026 ... The constitutional disciplinary process will run in the ordinary course. The National Executive Committee commends in the strongest terms the ...
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYzwJdPlnYI/?hl=en
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Nov 21, 2025 ... Let's remain disciplined and allow the processes of the ANC to unfold as set out in the guidelines. We need to make sure that we have clean ...
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRVKC1ljJxf/
+ 1 more evidence source
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Claim 7: “the minister of planning, monitoring and evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, is accused of accepting three BAIC X55 SUVs... from Chinese representatives in late 2023”
CORROBORATED
Three separate web search results report that Maropene Ramokgopa is accused of receiving/distributing luxury BAIC X55 SUVs from Chinese representatives in late 2023.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 14, 2026 ... Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopa has also been accused of giving luxury donated Chinese SUVs to her family ...
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-14-exclusive…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 2, 2026 ... According to an investigation by Daily Maverick, the two BAIC Beijing X55 vehicles, valued at approximately R400,000 to R500,000 each, were ...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/174015046726713/posts/212838…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 17, 2026 ... The account given by sources was consistent: five BAIC X55 vehicles were donated by Chinese representatives in late 2023, intended for the ANCWL ...
https://www.magzter.com/stories/newspaper/Daily-Maverick/TWO…
schedule
Claim 8: “Mbalula said the Tolashe disciplinary process was expected to conclude within three months”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 9: “Ramokgopa remains a Cabinet minister, retains her position as the ANC’s second deputy secretary-general, and apparently continues to serve as ANCWL national coordinator”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided in the search results to confirm her current status across all three mentioned roles simultaneously.
schedule
Claim 10: “Both the ANC and the ANCWL said they had no knowledge or record of any such donation”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 11: “secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba assuming Tolashe’s ANCWL functions on an interim basis”
CORROBORATED
Two independent sources confirm that secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba is assuming interim responsibilities/functions of the ANCWL president.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) has resolved to remove its president, Sisisi Tolashe from active duties, with secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba set to assume interim responsibilities while disciplinary…
https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-05-30-nqaba-takes-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The national executive committee (NEC) of the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) has unanimously decided that its President Sisisi Tolashe, must take a leave of absence. This decision al…
https://www.polity.org.za/article/ancwl-president-sisisi-tol…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Nokuthula Nqaba. Founded.The most recent president of the ANCWL was Bathabile Dlamini, who held the office from 2015 until April 2022, when the entire national executive of the league was disbanded by…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_National_Congress_Wome…
schedule
Claim 12: “the ANCWL leadership currently consists of Deputy Secretary-General Dina Pule and Treasurer-General Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 13: “The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) president, Sisisi Tolashe, is on “special leave” following her axing by President Cyril Ramaphosa as minister of social development”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources (The Citizen, allAfrica.com, and another web search result) confirm that Sisisi Tolashe is on 'special leave' or 'leave of absence' from the ANCWL after being dismissed as Minister of Social Development by President Ramaphosa.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) is an auxiliary women's political organization of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa. This organization has its precedent in the B…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_National_Congress_Wome…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Bathabile Dlamini (born 10 September 1962) is a South African politician who was the President of the African National Congress (ANC) Women's League from 2015 to 2022. She was previously the Minister …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathabile_Dlamini
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Nokuzola Gladys Tolashe (born 21 December 1959), also known as Sisisi "Sisi" Tolashe, is a South African politician from the Eastern Cape. A member of the African National Congress (ANC), she was the…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisisi_Tolashe
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
Claim 14: “The decision, taken unanimously by the ANCWL’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at a special meeting in Boksburg on Saturday and confirmed in an ANCWL statement on Monday”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this specific claim consists of date calculator tools and does not contain any information regarding an NEC meeting in Boksburg or a statement issued on Monday.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Date Calculator adds or subtracts days, weeks, months and years from a given date.
https://www.timeanddate.com/date/dateadd.html
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — To get started, enter the start date to which you need to add/subtract days (today's date is initially displayed). Use the calendar for more convenient date selection.
https://timedatecalc.com/30-days-from-today
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jan 1, 2026 · This free date calculator computes the difference between two dates. It can also add to or subtract from a date. Both can deal with business days and holidays.
https://www.calculator.net/date-calculator.html
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Claim 15: “Ramokgopa did not disclose receiving any gifts in Parliament’s Register of Members’ Interests for 2023, 2024 or 2025”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources explicitly state that Maropene Ramokgopa did not disclose receiving any gifts in the Parliament Register of Members' Interests for 2023, 2024, and 2025.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — About Maropene Ramokgopa. Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation since March 2023, serving until June 2024 and then ...
https://www.pa.org.za/person/maropene-lydia-ramokgopa/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 14, 2026 ... She did not disclose receiving any gifts for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 Parliament Register of Members' Interests. “The minister has never ...
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-14-exclusive…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 21, 2026 ... ... Maropene Ramokgopa now ... 'She did not disclose receiving any gifts for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 Parliament Register of Members' Interests.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DXZQUXSjjmM/
help
Claim 16: “ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula... confirming that “another NEC leader” had appeared before the Integrity Commission and that a report was still pending”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results to confirm Fikile Mbalula's statement regarding another NEC leader.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.