ActionSA MP Dereleen James has laid criminal charges against Social Development Minister Sisi Tolashe. The action centres on allegations that Tolashe misled Parliament about two luxury BAIC Beijing X55 SUVs tied to the ANC Women’s League.

James filed the charges at Cape Town Central Police Station on Wednesday morning. She accuses the minister of concealing the true origin and ownership of the vehicles, which ActionSA describes as potential undisclosed gifts from foreign officials.

ActionSA Files Charges Against Sisi Tolashe

James opened a corruption case against Tolashe on 8 April 2026. She also submitted a complaint to the Public Protector for alleged breaches of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act and referred the matter to Parliament’s Ethics Committee for violations of the Code of Conduct and disclosure rules.

ActionSA argues the minister provided false information in a February 2026 parliamentary reply. Tolashe claimed Chinese officials donated the SUVs directly to the ANC Women’s League and that no declaration was needed.

Background to the Luxury Vehicles Controversy

A Daily Maverick investigation published on 2 April 2026 first highlighted the issue. The two vehicles – one white and one yellow – were registered in April 2024 to Tolashe’s adult children, Nanilethu Tolashe and Kanyisa Tolashe. Each SUV is valued between R400 000 and R500 000, for a combined total of nearly R1 million. One vehicle was later sold.

Senior ANC figures and the ANC Women’s League have distanced themselves from the claim. They state they have no knowledge of any such donation. Tolashe did not respond to James’s initial parliamentary question and only replied when it was resubmitted.

ActionSA maintains the minister’s explanation does not add up. James described the situation as “highly irregular for a minister to receive two luxury vehicles from foreign government officials” and an affront to Parliament.

Political Reactions to the Charges Against Sisi Tolashe

ActionSA has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to dismiss Tolashe without delay. The party says her conduct makes her position untenable. James stated: “Unsurprisingly, the ANC has distanced itself from any such vehicles, with its most senior officials stating they have no knowledge of what the minister is referring to.”