Lumka Oliphant disputes accusations of misleading Parliament, while the Department says her claims are meant to distract from her dismissal.
A dismissed official and a Cabinet minister are trading fresh accusations, with Misryoum reporting that the dispute is centered on what was said in Parliament and what the Department of Social Development claims is an attempt to shift blame.
Former Social Development spokesperson Lumka Oliphant has responded to Minister Sisisi Tolashe after the minister accused her of lying to Parliament.. The Department of Social Development followed up with a statement saying Oliphant embarked on a misinformation campaign and made allegations it described as unsubstantiated and misleading.
The Department’s position is that Oliphant’s claims are designed to divert attention from the reasons for her dismissal. It also said it is concerned about efforts to pull the minister into matters it says fall outside her current portfolio.
Insight: In disputes like this, the public argument often becomes less about a single fact and more about control of the narrative, especially when Parliament is involved.
Acting Head of Communication Sandy Godlwana said Oliphant’s statements are a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and weaken the minister’s leadership.. Godlwana’s message also characterizes Oliphant as a disgruntled former official dismissed after serious allegations related to mismanagement of public resources and gross administrative conduct.
Oliphant, however, says her account is grounded in information she says appears in public documents that can be checked. She denied wrongdoing, saying she did not lie to Parliament and disputed claims tied to administrative decisions and other allegations raised against her.
Meanwhile, Misryoum understands that ActionSA and the Democratic Alliance have laid criminal charges against Tolashe. The parties cited her failure to disclose luxury vehicles donated to her by the Chinese Embassy and alleged that the vehicles were registered under her children’s names.
Both parties have also accused Tolashe of failing to disclose the information to Parliament as required under the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests.
Insight: As the matter moves between ministerial responses and criminal complaints, the next developments will likely hinge on how disclosures are documented and how questions raised in Parliament are addressed publicly.