Under siege minister charges director general

After weeks of sustained pressure and with the axe hanging over her head, embattled Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has moved to charge director general (DG) Peter Netshipale, just weeks after another top official, Lumka Oliphant, was put on ice.

- Nkateko Joseph Mabasa

The minister has also recently suspended her 22-year-old chief of staff, Lesedi Matiletja, amid pressure to account for her actions and as she faces accusations of defying cabinet or failing to implement its decision on Netshipale’s appointment.

Citing “serious concerns arising from his conduct in the performance of his duties” in charging the DG, Tolashe has sought to strengthen her hand as pressure mounts on her to explain why she appointed Netshipale, who allegedly failed psychometric tests, on a five-year contract without verifying that he was due for retirement in 2026.

“Having applied her mind and considered all relevant facts, the minister has taken a decision — in the best interests of the department — to institute formal processes in line with the Public Service Act and the Senior Management Service (SMS) Handbook,” the social development department said in a statement.

Netshipale has not been suspended, but must give reasons why he should not be suspended pending a disciplinary hearing.

This is the latest in a series of staff disputes at the department, following the suspension of chief communications officer Oliphant, the “precautionary suspension” of Matiletja, and an ongoing investigation into the minister's special adviser, Ngwako Kgatla.

In a letter to Netshipale, the minister said that, given his age, he was required to retire in 2026 and would face disciplinary charges for signing a five-year contract.

“Unbeknownst to me, you decided to sign a contract of five years, which has since been varied for a period of a year,” the letter reads.

“You further failed to scrutinise the appointments in the office of the minister, thus bringing the office of the minister into disrepute. Self-evidently, your decision has inflicted prejudice to the administration, and efficiency to the office of the minister.”