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How top Social Development officials used late Minister’s name to falsify CVs

Daily Maverick · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · · 2025 words · By Rebecca Davis
Government corruption Lack of Due Diligence Professional Dishonesty
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What to know about Government corruption

How do you make certain that one of your referees on your CV won’t contradict your claim of having worked for them?

Claims checked 19
Techniques found 2
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center86%
Right14%

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

What happened

How do you make certain that one of your referees on your CV won’t contradict your claim of having worked for them?

Why it matters

This appears to have been the reasoning by uncle and niece team Ngwako Kgatla and Lesedi Mabiletja, appointed as special adviser and chief of staff, respectively, to Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe.

Common ground

Mabiletja left her post in January 2026 after Daily Maverick’s previous reporting on her lack of qualifications for the role, but Kgatla is still employed as Tolashe’s special adviser, having followed Tolashe from her previous role as Deputy Minister for…

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Exaggeration / Hyperbole: 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/2026-04-22-how-top-social-development-of…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 90% 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
Exaggeration / Hyperbole 80% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.
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 exaggeration / hyperbole 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 19 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 9
check_circle Corroborated 4
verified Verified By Reference 3
info Single Source 1
verified Verified 1
help Insufficient Evidence 1
schedule
Claim 1: “Kgatla claims to have worked for Mkhize’s Nolwazi-STEM NGO”
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 2: “Mabiletja left her post in January 2026”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided web search results for this claim are generic articles about conflict resolution and do not mention Lesedi Mabiletja or her employment dates.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Feb 11, 2026 · Five research-backed conflict resolution strategies to reduce tension, improve communication, and resolve workplace or family disputes effectively.
https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/conflict-resolution/confli…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sep 7, 2023 · Conflict is an inevitable part of working with others. Here are 5 strategies for conflict resolution in the workplace and why it’s important.
https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/strategies-for-conflict-res…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Nov 28, 2025 · While disagreements are inevitable, conflict management doesn't have to be overwhelming. Whether you're facing tension at work or navigating personal relationships, these evidence-based…
https://reachlink.com/advice/anger/5-effective-strategies-fo…
schedule
Claim 3: “In Kgatla’s second CV, he is listed as working as a “Communications Officer (Deputy Director Level)” for Cosatma between 2019 and 2021”
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.
verified
Claim 4: “Kgatla is still employed as Tolashe’s special adviser”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The evidence provided for this claim consists of information about Taylor Swift and a general Wikipedia page on South African elections; there is no mention of Ngwako Kgatla's current employment status.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — This article displays the various political parties' party candidate lists for the 2024 South African general election. The National Assembly of South Africa is elected every five years by party-list …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_lists_for_the_2024_South…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 5 days ago · Taylor Swift (born December 13, 1989, West Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.) is a multitalented singer-songwriter and global superstar who has captivated audiences with her heartfelt lyrics an…
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Taylor-Swift
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Aug 30, 2025 · Taylor Swift Age | Birthday How old is Taylor Swift? Taylor is 35 years old as of August 2025. She was born on December 13, 1989. Moreover, she will turn 36 this December. Thus, her cur…
https://thebiographybytes.com/taylor-swift/
+ 1 more evidence source
verified
Claim 5: “the previous deputy minister, Hlengiwe Mkhize, died of lung cancer in September 2021.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia and news reports confirm Hlengiwe Mkhize died on 16 September 2021, and multiple sources specify the cause was lung cancer.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Hlengiwe Buhle Mkhize (6 September 1952 – 16 September 2021) was a South African politician who served as Minister of Higher Education and Training and Minister of Home Affairs under President Jacob Z…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hlengiwe_Mkhize
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor (née Matthews; born 7 December 1953) is a South African politician, educator and academic who served as the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation from 2019 un…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naledi_Pandor
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 has been…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisisi_Tolashe
+ 3 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 6: “Nolwazi-STEM was established only in October 2018.”
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 7: “In the second, he had been promoted to “Communications Manager” for Nolwazi-STEM between 2017 and 2018”
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 8: “Mabiletja’s CV... [listed] a “3 years and 9 months” period... as a “volunteer in the office of the Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize providing assistance to the Head of Office/Private Secretary”.”
CORROBORATED
Daily Maverick and other reports specifically mention that Mabiletja's CV claimed a period of 3 years and 9 months as a volunteer for the late Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Hlengiwe Buhle Mkhize (6 September 1952 – 16 September 2021) was a South African politician who served as Minister of Higher Education and Training and Minister of Home Affairs under President Jacob Z…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hlengiwe_Mkhize
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mabiletja’s CV does not give the years in which she undertook this volunteer service spanning three years and nine months, but it does state that she matriculated from Ramoba High School in 2020. Depu…
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-10-minister-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — She said Mabiletja had committed fraud when she stated on her CV that she possessed five years experience and had worked in the office of late minister Hlengiwe Mkhize.
https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-05-07-serious-irregular…
schedule
Claim 9: “Kgatla had subsequently submitted a second CV”
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 10: “In the first CV, Kgatla was a “Communications Officer” for Nolwazi-STEM for just under two years, ending in December 2020.”
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.
verified
Claim 11: “Tolashe took office as Minister of Social Development in July 2024”
VERIFIED
The South African Government website and cross-references confirm Sisisi Tolashe was appointed Minister of Social Development on 3 July 2024.
compare_arrows
cross reference SUPPORTS — Tolashe took office as minister of social development in July 2024
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-05-13-minister-…
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Claim 12: “Kgatla listed her [Hlengiwe Mkhize] name and number under “References” on his CV when applying for the post of Tolashe’s special adviser.”
CORROBORATED
News reports (The Citizen and others) discuss the suspension of Ngwako Kgatla following PSC findings regarding his CV irregularities, and other reports link the controversy to the use of deceased references.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Tolashe special adviser Ngwako Kgatla suspended.Following the PSC’s findings, the department confirmed Kgatla’s immediate suspension on 13 May, framing it as a necessary procedural step.
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/social-development-suspends-s…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The department of social development has suspended Ngwako Kgatla, the special adviser to minister Sisisi Tolashe , after findings by the Public Service Commission (PSC). The department confirmed Kgatl…
https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-05-13-social-devel…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mabiletja’s mother, Lekgale Mahlaku, has also referred to Kgatla on Facebook as her “brother”. Kgatla’s close relationship with Minister Tolashe has made headlines on several occasions this year becau…
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-10-minister-…
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Claim 13: “In September 2025, Daily Maverick revealed that 22-year-old Mabiletja had been appointed chief of staff to Minister Tolashe despite not meeting the necessary criteria”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources report that Lesedi Mabiletja was 22 years old upon appointment and that the Public Service Commission (PSC) found the appointment irregular due to a lack of qualifications.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Minister of Social Development Sisise Tolashe's controversial senior appointment has been rescinded - but young Lesedi Mabiletja still holds a job in the department that she remains ...
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-24-social-de…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The appointment of a 22-year-old with limited experience as chief of staff to Social Development Minister and ANC Women's League president Sisisi Tolashe has sparked controversy, with Parliament's por…
https://witness.co.za/news/2025/09/30/minister-faces-backlas…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Public Service Commission has found that the appointment of Lesedi Mabiletja as the private secretary in the office of Social Development Minister, Sisisi Tolashe was irregular as she did not have…
https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/psc-finds-mabiletja-appoin…
schedule
Claim 14: “DPSA regulations stipulate that... [special advisers] need to possess at a minimum “5 years’ experience at the level equivalent to Director level with relevant experience applicable to the portfolio or functions””
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 15: “Ngwako Kgatla and Lesedi Mabiletja, appointed as special adviser and chief of staff, respectively, to Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results from Daily Maverick and other news reports discuss the appointments of Ngwako Kgatla and Lesedi Mabiletja to Minister Tolashe's office.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe. (Photo: Suné Payne). On the basis of the version of Mabiletja’s CV, seen by Daily Maverick, her appointment to this role in one of the most critical and com…
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-10-minister-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has claimed that the allegations of irregular appointments in her office are a deliberate attempt to tarnish her reputation. Tolashe appeared before Parliame…
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/sisisi-tolashe-lesedi-mabilet…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe refutes allegations of undermining Cabinet decisions and irregular staff appointments, labelling them as defamatory distractions from her governance efforts.
https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2025-10-10-minister-tolashe-…
schedule
Claim 16: “Kgatla’s first job on his first CV... was listed as “Journalist (Contract)” for the University of Limpopo”
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 17: “in Kgatla’s first CV, he stated he worked as a “Communications Officer (Contract)” for the North West Department of Community Safety and Traffic Management (Cosatma) from November 2021 to September 2023.”
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.
verified
Claim 18: “Tolashe... was appointed to the post [Deputy Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities] in March 2023”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia and the South African Government website both explicitly state that Sisisi Tolashe was appointed Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities on 6 March 2023.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The minister of social development is a minister in the Cabinet of South Africa who is the political head of the Department of Social Development and its agencies, including the South African Social S…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minister_of_Social_Development…
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 has been…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisisi_Tolashe
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The third cabinet of Cyril Ramaphosa, also known as the Government of National Unity (GNU), is the incumbent cabinet of the Government of South Africa. It was appointed on 30 June 2024 after the May 2…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_cabinet_of_Cyril_Ramapho…
+ 3 more evidence sources
help
Claim 19: “Osborne Masilela served as chief director in the office of the director-general at the Department of Social Development (DSD) for 17 years before taking early retirement at the end of March 2026”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding Osborne Masilela.
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.