The ANC has referred former police minister Bheki Cele, former Social Development minister Sisisi Tolashe and three other members to its disciplinary committee after the Integrity Commission found they had brought the party into disrepute.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
Former Police Minister Bheki Cele and recently fired Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe are among five ANC members referred to the party’s disciplinary committee for allegedly bringing the organisation into disrepute.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula announced during a media briefing in Johannesburg on Tuesday, where he outlined the outcomes of the party’s recent NEC meeting.
Mbalula said the NEC had received and considered the ANC Integrity Commission's report on matters involving five members.
“The NEC thanks and salutes the members of the Integrity Commission, which stands at the core of the African National Congress’s renewal programme and the upholding of ethical conduct and good governance within our ranks,” he said.
“The NEC fully endorsed the report of the Integrity Commission and its recommendations on each of the comrades named.”
He said the NEC had resolved to refer all five matters to the ANC National Disciplinary Committee for action under the party’s constitutional disciplinary process, with the NEC acting as complainant.
The others who were referred to the committee were City of Johannesburg MMC Sithembiso Zungu, Matjhabeng Local Municipality Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha, and ANC Sedibeng regional secretary Jason Mkhwane.
“The constitutional disciplinary process will run its ordinary course,” Mbalula said.
He said Khalipha had already been found guilty by a court of law and fined, which led to his appearance before the Integrity Commission.
“He has been found to have brought the party into disrepute,” Mbalula said, referring to Rule 25 of the ANC constitution.
Mbalula stressed that the Integrity Commission and state institutions operated separately but in parallel.
“What the Integrity Commission does is look at what has brought the ANC into disrepute - ethical conduct and the moral standing of the organisation,” he said.
He said the commission itself was not a disciplinary body, but rather assessed conduct before matters were referred to the disciplinary committee, which would determine guilt and any sanctions.
Mbalula added that the five members had not initially faced formal charges before the Integrity Commission.
“You present yourself voluntarily before the Integrity Commission, or you are summoned,” he said.
“Tolashe was referred to the Integrity Commission by the secretary-general. Mkhwane was referred to by structures in Sedibeng, while Zungu, a councillor in Johannesburg, was referred to over issues in the city.”
He said Cele had voluntarily appeared before the commission to explain matters relating to businessman Vusimuzi Matlala.
“Once they present themselves, they have not been charged. They have been found to have brought the party into disrepute,” Mbalula said.
The matter will now proceed formally before the disciplinary committee, which will decide on appropriate action.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently dismissed Tolashe following mounting pressure over allegations linked to two luxury vehicles reportedly intended for the ANC Women’s League, of which she is president.
The vehicles - a white and a yellow BAIC Beijing X55 SUV - are each valued at between R400,000 and R500,000.
Former Cabinet ministers Bheki Cele and Sisisi Tolashe are among five ANC figures set to face the party’s disciplinary committee over allegations that their conduct damaged the organisation’s reputation.
Image: Phando Jikelo / RSA Parliament
Tolashe is accused of receiving the vehicles, allegedly donated by Chinese representatives in late 2023, and registering them in the names of her children.
ActionSA and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have opened criminal cases and approached Parliament’s portfolio committee to seek an inquiry into allegations of maladministration in her department.
Sindisiwe Chikunga, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, has been appointed acting Social Development minister until a permanent replacement is named.
Additional allegations against Tolashe include the extension of her department’s director-general’s contract and the appointment of 22-year-old Lesedi Mabiletja as acting chief of staff. Mabiletja is the niece of Tolashe’s special adviser, Ngwako Kgatla.
Tolashe has denied involvement, saying the department handled the appointments.
She also faces accusations involving a state-funded food aide who allegedly worked at her private home in the Eastern Cape instead of at her official residences in Pretoria or Cape Town.
The aide allegedly paid half of her R15,000 monthly salary to Tolashe’s daughter for household expenses. Tolashe denied any role in the arrangement.
Zungu has faced allegations of involvement in the so-called “construction mafia”, including claims of extortion and disrupting a R135 million school refurbishment project.
Reports allege that his Vlakfontein business forum disrupted refurbishment work at Inkululeko Yesizwe Primary School in Vlakfontein and the Lehae housing project in Lenasia.
Zungu has denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated.
Khalipha was convicted of assault and crimen injuria.
In December 2024, the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court fined him R5,000 or sentenced him to three months’ imprisonment on one count of common assault.
He was also fined R1,000 or one month’s imprisonment on each crimen injuria count.
He was convicted after standing trial for assaulting one of his bodyguards.
Matlala previously alleged that Cele demanded a R1 million bribe, which he claimed was partly paid in Woolworths bags.
The allegation emerged during testimony before the ad hoc committee investigating systemic corruption within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies in November 2025.
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