🔔 LATEST UPDATE — 18 JUNE 2026
Acting Minister Chikunga Briefs Parliament on BIS Grant & SASSA Crackdown
Three major developments surfaced at the 18 June 2026 parliamentary Select Committee briefing, all directly led by Acting Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga:
  • Treasury to rule on the BIS grant by July 2026 — Chikunga confirmed the Department of Social Development expects National Treasury’s verdict on the proposed Basic Income Support grant within weeks. If approved, the policy goes to Cabinet in August 2026 and opens for public comment shortly after.
  • 70,000 grant payments suspended — SASSA’s cross-matching of beneficiary data with SARS tax records and credit bureau databases has resulted in approximately 70,000 payments being suspended for ineligible recipients. This is part of the largest beneficiary verification drive in SASSA’s history and demonstrates the department’s readiness to manage a permanent BIS scheme responsibly.
  • SRD extension likely beyond March 2027 — Chikunga signalled that the R370 SRD grant may need to run past its current March 2027 end date to ensure no gap in support while the BIS legislative process is completed.
⚡ Breaking News — 14 May 2026

President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe on 14 May 2026. Here is everything that happened — why she was fired, what the ANC decided, and what it means for your SASSA grant.

✍️ Updated 18 June 2026  ·  📖 10 min read  ·  ✅ Sourced from Official Government & Verified SA Media

14 May
Date Tolashe Was Fired
26.5M
Grant Beneficiaries
R300B
SASSA Budget Oversaw
~R1M
Undisclosed SUV Value
✅ Will My SASSA Grant Still Be Paid?

Yes — your grant payments are safe. Acting Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has confirmed all June 2026 SASSA grants will be paid on their normal scheduled dates. A minister’s dismissal does not cancel or delay disbursements.

📋 Table of Contents
  1. Who Is Sisisi Tolashe?
  2. Why Was She Fired?
  3. The Luxury SUV Scandal — Full Details
  4. Other Allegations Against Tolashe
  5. Who Has Replaced Tolashe?
  6. What the ANC Did Next
  7. What Does This Mean for Your Grant?
  8. June 2026 Payment Dates — Confirmed
  9. Timeline of Events
  10. BIS Grant: What Chikunga Is Now Driving
  11. Frequently Asked Questions
1

Who Is Sisisi Tolashe?

Sisisi Tolashe was appointed Minister of Social Development in July 2024 following the post-election cabinet reshuffle under South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU). She replaced Lindiwe Zulu and was also president of the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL).

The Department of Social Development is one of South Africa’s most consequential portfolios — it oversees SASSA, which distributes grants to over 26.5 million beneficiaries with a budget of approximately R300 billion for the 2026/27 financial year. By the time Ramaphosa fired her on 14 May 2026, her tenure had become one of the most discredited in the department’s recent history.

2

Why Was She Fired?

Ramaphosa used his powers under Section 91(2) of the Constitution, which grants the President authority to appoint and dismiss Cabinet ministers. The immediate trigger was sustained pressure from the DA and ActionSA, who had both opened criminal cases against Tolashe at a Cape Town police station. DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis wrote formally to Ramaphosa on 30 April 2026 demanding her removal.

“Tolashe had broken so many rules and was so dishonest in every aspect of her tenure that she exceeded even Cyril Ramaphosa’s atmospheric acceptance of bad governance.” — Political analysts, May 2026
3

The Luxury SUV Scandal — Full Details

The most high-profile allegation centred on two BAIC Beijing X55 SUVs — one white, one yellow — donated to the ANCWL by Chinese representatives in late 2023. Each was valued at R400,000–R500,000, totalling approximately R1 million. Tolashe failed to disclose these to Parliament, and the vehicles were allegedly registered in the names of her children. One was later sold.

DetailInformation
Vehicles2× BAIC Beijing X55 SUVs (white & yellow)
Combined Value~R1 million
Donated ByChinese representatives (late 2023)
Intended ForANC Women’s League (ANCWL)
Registered InTolashe’s children’s names (alleged)
Parliament DisclosureNone — legal violation
Criminal CasesOpened by DA & ActionSA at Cape Town SAPS
4

Other Allegations Against Tolashe

🏠 Personal Staff Abuse

A departmental “food aide” — paid from public funds — was reportedly made to work at Tolashe’s private home in East London and allegedly forced to transfer money to her personal accounts.

👥 Nepotism — Irregular Hirings

A 22-year-old was appointed Chief of Staff — a role requiring significant experience — while another appointee reportedly “had no clue” about their duties. Described as symptomatic of systemic governance failure.

🎤 Leaked Audio Recording

A leaked audio exposed Tolashe instructing ANC MPs to close ranks and defend her, openly stating she was unwilling to answer certain questions before Parliament’s portfolio committee — widely seen as obstruction of oversight.

🛡️ Shielding SASSA CEO Kgatla

Tolashe was accused of repeatedly shielding SASSA CEO Themba Kgatla from accountability. The department suspended Kgatla — on full pay — just one day before Tolashe herself was fired.

5

Who Has Replaced Tolashe?

Ramaphosa appointed Sindisiwe Lydia Chikunga as acting Minister of Social Development pending a permanent appointment. Chikunga previously served as Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities — giving her some familiarity with SASSA’s vulnerable beneficiary groups.

💡 Ramaphosa’s Priority Statement

Stability in the department is now an immediate priority. Chikunga’s appointment was designed to ensure continuity of SASSA grant payments while a permanent ministerial appointment is finalised.

6

What the ANC Did Next — Disciplinary Action

On 26 May 2026, the ANC’s NEC — acting on its Integrity Commission’s recommendation — took further action:

  • Instructed Tolashe to resign from Parliament
  • Instructed her to resign as President of the ANCWL
  • Referred her to the ANC National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), with the NEC as complainant

Parliament’s Social Development Committee chairperson Bridget Masango also confirmed that parliamentary oversight of Tolashe’s conduct will continue regardless of her dismissal.

7

What Does This Mean for Your SASSA Grant?

✅ Short Answer: Nothing Changes for Your Grant

SASSA is run by its own operational structure. Grant payments are processed automatically according to the confirmed schedule. A minister’s dismissal does not cancel, reduce, or delay your grant.

What ChangesWhat Stays the Same
Minister overseeing SASSAYour grant amount
Political leadership of the departmentYour payment dates
Future policy directionYour eligibility criteria
SASSA CEO accountability processSRD R370 grant continuation
8

June 2026 SASSA Payment Dates — Confirmed

All June 2026 grants will proceed on their normal four-week rotation:

👴 Older Persons Grant 2 Jun 2026
♿ Disability Grant 3 Jun 2026
👶 Children’s Grants 4 Jun 2026
💸 SRD R370 Grant 24–30 Jun 2026
📞 Important SASSA Contact Numbers
SASSA Toll-Free
0800 60 10 11
SASSA WhatsApp
082 054 0016
SRD Status Check
srd.sassa.gov.za
USSD
*120*3210#
9

Timeline of Events

July 2024
Tolashe appointed Minister of Social Development under GNU cabinet reshuffle
Late 2023
Two BAIC Beijing X55 SUVs donated to ANCWL — allegedly registered in Tolashe’s children’s names; not disclosed to Parliament
Early 2026
Leaked audio exposes Tolashe instructing ANC MPs to shield her from parliamentary questions
30 April 2026
DA & ActionSA open criminal cases at Cape Town SAPS; DA leader formally demands Tolashe’s removal
13 May 2026
Department suspends SASSA CEO Kgatla on full pay — one day before Tolashe’s firing
14 May 2026
President Ramaphosa fires Tolashe; Chikunga appointed acting minister
26 May 2026
ANC NEC instructs Tolashe to resign from Parliament and as ANCWL president; refers case to NDC
30 May 2026
Parliamentary Social Development Committee confirms oversight of Tolashe’s conduct continues
18 June 2026
Chikunga briefs Parliament’s Select Committee on Social Services — confirms Treasury BIS decision expected by July 2026, 70,000 payments suspended after data-matching crackdown, SRD extension beyond March 2027 likely
July 2026 — Upcoming
National Treasury expected to issue verdict on BIS grant funding — the most consequential social policy decision of 2026
10

BIS Grant: What Chikunga Is Now Driving

Beyond stabilising grant payments, Chikunga’s most urgent inherited responsibility is shepherding the proposed Basic Income Support (BIS) grant through its most critical approval phase. Here is where the policy stands and what happens next.

R760
Proposed monthly BIS amount
vs current R370 SRD
R97.6bn
Estimated annual cost
~1.3% of South Africa’s GDP
8.5M
Intended beneficiaries
Unemployed adults aged 18–59
July
Treasury verdict deadline
2026 — confirmed by Chikunga
📅 BIS Grant Approval Roadmap — What Happens Next
Jun–Jul 2026
National Treasury finalises its assessment of the BIS policy and funding model. Chikunga presented the updated draft — incorporating stronger links to employment and training — to Treasury in recent weeks.
July 2026
Draft BIS policy updated to reflect Treasury’s input; full socioeconomic impact assessment submitted to the Presidency for review.
August 2026
Revised policy submitted to Cabinet for approval to gazette. If Cabinet agrees, the policy enters a formal public comment period — ordinary South Africans will be able to submit views on the proposed BIS grant.
2027
Legislative process begins — the Social Assistance Act must be amended before any BIS grant can legally replace the SRD. This means the SRD R370 will almost certainly continue past March 2027 while Parliament processes the bill.
TBC
BIS grant launches for eligible job-seeking adults. The proposed amount is R760 per month — more than double the current SRD — and would include obligations to actively seek work, attend training, or pursue income-generating activities.
📄 Full BIS Grant Guide

Everything you need to know about the proposed BIS grant — eligibility, how it differs from the SRD, proposed amounts, and the full application process once it launches.

Read: New BIS Grant 2026 — Complete Guide →
11

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my June 2026 SASSA grant be paid on time? ▼
Yes. Acting Minister Chikunga has confirmed all June 2026 grants proceed on schedule — Older Persons on 2 June, Disability on 3 June, Children’s grants on 4 June, SRD R370 between 24–30 June 2026.
Does this firing affect the SRD R370 grant amount? ▼
No. The SRD R370 remains at R370 per month and is funded until March 2027 with a confirmed R36.4 billion allocation. Changing grant amounts requires a separate parliamentary and budgetary process.
Who is now in charge of SASSA? ▼
SASSA is operationally run by its acting CEO following the suspension of Themba Kgatla. Political oversight falls under Acting Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga until Ramaphosa makes a permanent cabinet appointment.
What criminal charges does Tolashe face? ▼
The DA and ActionSA opened criminal cases relating to her alleged failure to disclose luxury SUVs. She has also been referred to the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee, and parliamentary investigations continue.
Does Tolashe’s replacement delay the BIS grant? ▼
This is the right question to ask — and the honest answer is: it introduces uncertainty, but not necessarily delay. The BIS policy process had already been advancing under Tolashe, albeit slowly. Critics argued she was not driving it with sufficient urgency. Acting Minister Chikunga appeared before Parliament on 18 June 2026 and confirmed the Treasury engagement is proceeding on schedule, with a verdict expected in July 2026. Whether a permanent minister is in place before July is the key variable — but the Treasury engagement is a departmental process, not a ministerial one, so it can continue under an acting minister. The bigger risk is that a prolonged absence of a permanent minister slows Cabinet submission in August and pushes the public comment period into late 2026.
My grant was suspended — is this because of the verification crackdown? ▼
Possibly. SASSA suspended approximately 70,000 payments after cross-referencing beneficiary records with SARS tax data and credit bureau databases. If your income or assets now exceed the eligibility threshold, your grant may have been flagged. Visit your nearest SASSA office with your ID document to query the suspension. Do not wait — grants suspended without an in-person query may remain on hold.
What is the proposed BIS grant amount and when will it replace the SRD? ▼
The proposed BIS grant amount is R760 per month — more than double the current SRD R370. The estimated annual cost to the state is R97.6 billion, or roughly 1.3% of GDP. It is targeted at unemployed adults aged 18–59 who are not receiving any other SASSA grant. As for timing: the Social Assistance Act must be amended before the BIS can legally replace the SRD, and that legislative process is not expected to begin until 2027. The SRD will almost certainly continue beyond its current March 2027 end date while Parliament processes the necessary legislation. Read our full BIS grant guide for the complete breakdown.
📚 Related Guides You May Find Helpful
Naledi Dlamini
Naledi Dlamini
SASSA Benefits & Social Grants Writer

Naledi Dlamini is a Johannesburg-based social grants writer with over 5 years of experience helping South Africans navigate SASSA applications, SRD appeals, and payment queries. She is passionate about making government benefits accessible and understandable for every South African.