Lesedi Mabiletja, appointed as chief of staff to the minister of social development at the age of 22 and without the necessary qualifications, has resigned.

A chief of staff unlawfully appointed to support Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe in 2025 has tendered her resignation after having been suspended on full pay for more than three months.

The resignation of Lesedi Mabiletja, who Daily Maverick revealed was just 22 at the time of her appointment and lacked the minimum legal requirements for the post, was announced in an internal memo to staff at the Department of Social Development (DSD) dated 20 January 2026.

"Ms Lesedi Mabiletja, who served as a Personal Assistant to the Minister and had been appointed in August 2025 to act as the Chief of Staff in the Ministry for a period of six (6) months has tendered her resignation, effective 08 January 2026," read the memo.

"The Department expresses its appreciation to Ms Mabiletja for her service, commitment, and the contribution made during her tenure, and wishes her well in her future endeavours."

The department's reminder that Mabiletja was appointed on a six-month contract would mean that her tenure was due to expire in January in any event -- seemingly bringing a neat end to this saga.

In reality, however, multiple unanswered questions remain -- none of which department spokesperson...