Oliphant hits back at Tolashe, Department claims dismissal diversion

Former Social Development Spokesperson Lumka Oliphant has hit back at Minister Sisisi Tolashe for accusing her of lying to Parliament.

This follows a statement issued by the Department that Oliphant had embarked on a campaign of misinformation and of making unsubstantiated and misleading allegations against the department and the ministry.

In the statement, the Department of Social Development says the allegations made by Oliphant are meant to divert attention away from the real reasons behind her dismissal.

The department says it is also concerned at the attempts to implicate the minister in matters that fall outside her current portfolio of responsibilities.

Acting Head of Communication at the department, Sandy Godlwana says the claims made by Oliphant are deliberate attempts at misleading the public and undermining Minister Tolashe’s leadership.

“The Minister of Social Development Mrs Sisisi Nokuzola Tolashe has noted what appears to be a deliberate and sustained attempt to midslead the public and undermine her leadership through the circulation of distoterd narratives. The Ministry places it on record that these claims are being driven by a disgruntled former official of the department Ms Lumka Oliphant who was dismissed, following serious allegations to mismanagement of public resources and gross administrative conduct.”

However, Oliphant has stuck by her story and says her claims stem from information contained in public documents that are easily verifiable by members of the public.

“I did not lie to Parliament, she did. I did not advertise the post of the Director-General without the President’s approval. I did not steal cars from the ANC Women’s League or the ANC. I did not do any of those things.”

The Department of Social Development says Minister Tolashe has committed to presenting a full account on all matters relating to her parliamentary responsibilities.

Meanwhile, ActionSA and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have laid criminal charges against Tolashe for her failure to disclose luxury vehicles that were donated to her by the Chinese Embassy and for allegedly registering the cars on her children’s names.

The two parties have also accused her of failing to disclose this information to Parliament as required by The Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests.