'Highly unlikely' that Tolashe did not know about length of former DG’s employment contract

Axed Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Bridget Masango, said that the reports into the irregular employment contract of former Social Development Director-General, Peter Netshipale, which were presented to the committee, have left her scared about what is happening in the department.

The portfolio committee was briefed by Mketsu and Associates, who compiled a forensic investigation report into Netshipale's employment contract.

Netshipale was irregularly appointed on a fixed term of five years with an all-inclusive remuneration package of R2,259,984 per annum on the 14th of April 2025, while Cabinet had approved Netshipale’s appointment for a fixed term of one year, with a possible extension of a further two years.

Axed Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe claimed that after an MP had repeatedly asked the department what Netshipale’s contract term was, she went to check the contract, and that there was an anomaly as his contract bore her signature, which she disavowed.