President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday dismissed Sisisi Tolashe as Minister of Social Development, after widespread calls for her removal.

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga will take on the role of acting Minister, pending a full-time appointment, the Presidency said.

Tolashe is accused of not declaring two luxury vehicles received for the African National Congress Women’s League, which she heads up.

Last month, ActionSA opened a criminal case against Tolashe for corruption, submitted a complaint to the Public Protector for breaches of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act, and laid a formal complaint with Parliament’s Ethics Committee for breaches of the Code of Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed Tolashe’s removal, describing her position in the Cabinet as “untenable”.

It noted Chikunga’s interim appointment but said an appointment must be made urgently.

“South Africans deserve a competent and credible Minister who can lead this critical department with integrity, stability and a clear focus on serving vulnerable people who depend on its support,” DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said.

The African National Congress said Ramaphosa’s decision to remove Tolashe showed the party and President’s seriousness in tackling corruption.

Ramaphosa, himself faces the possibility of impeachment as the National Assembly initiates a process to establish an Impeachment Committee after the Constitutional Court found that the previous parliamentary vote, which halted an impeachment inquiry against Ramaphosa related to the Phala Phala matter, violated the National Assembly’s constitutional obligations under Section 89 of the Constitution.

“Under President Ramaphosa’s leadership, the fight against corruption has moved beyond rhetoric into concrete action through strengthened law enforcement institutions, the signing of numerous SIU proclamations, support for independent investigations, and the implementation of organisational renewal processes aimed at building a capable, ethical and developmental state. The President continues to lead from the front in ensuring accountability, transparency and consequence management across government,” the party said in a statement through spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu.