AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY: Another blow to Tolashe’s legacy as sacked spokesperson wins R1.5m and job back
The Department of Social Development has been ordered to reinstate former communications chief Lumka Oliphant, dismissed during Sisisi Tolashe’s tenure as minister, and pay her more than R1.53m in backpay.
The Department of Social Development has been ordered to reinstate former communications chief Lumka Oliphant and pay her over R1.53 million in backpay, following a ruling that her dismissal during Sisisi Tolashe's tenure as minister was "procedurally and substantively unfair." Arbitrator Suria van Wyk found that the department had failed to prove any of the five misconduct charges against Oliphant and had circumvented its own disciplinary procedures.
Oliphant, who was suspended in September 2025, will return to her position on 1 November 2026. This decision comes amid ongoing turmoil at the Department of Social Development, which has been under scrutiny following investigations by Daily Maverick.
Brief written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
