DA's internal strife deepens as Zille reprimands party members over public grievances

HELEN Zille, chairperson of the Democratic Alliance's (DA) Federal Executive, has publicly admonished party members for airing their grievances through the media. This reprimand arises in the wake of a contentious fallout following DA Leader John Steenhuisen's request for President Cyril Ramaphosa to dismiss Dion George from his position as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

The public altercation has been marked by revelations that George's removal purportedly stemmed not only from inadequate performance but also from allegations of unprofessional behaviour and excessive international travel. Reports suggest that Steenhuisen had sought to demote George to a deputy ministerial role in the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, a request George is said to have declined.

Following George's dismissal, Steenhuisen appointed Willie Aucamp — a national spokesperson with contentious ties to the captive wildlife industry — as the new minister of the environment, raising concerns from advocacy groups such as the National Council of SPCAs over potential conflicts of interest.

In a twist of fate, George responded to the leadership shake-up with allegations against Steenhuisen, claiming that he misused his DA-issued credit card for personal expenses, including takeaways and deliveries from Uber Eats. According to George, he had to halt Steenhuisen's access to the card due to unauthorised transactions that were unrelated to party business, emphasising that the card should strictly be reserved for official functions and expenses associated with party duties.

This unfolding drama took another turn when it was revealed that the Cape Town Magistrate's Court had issued a default judgment against Steenhuisen in May 2025 for nearly R150,000 in unpaid personal credit card debt, adding to the mounting pressures faced by the DA leadership as they head towards a crucial election.

In light of the ongoing discord, Zille convened an emergency meeting of the Federal Executive on Sunday night, where a resolution was passed to refer the growing discrepancies to the party’s Federal Legal Commission for a thorough investigation. This inquiry will centre on alleged breaches of the DA's constitution and internal regulations and aims to address the public spat that has plagued the party.

“The Fedex resolved to issue a directive forbidding anyone involved in this dispute — directly or indirectly — from continuing to voice their grievances through the media,” Zille said, calling for a return to internal procedures.

The ramifications of these conflicts may significantly influence Steenhuisen's prospects for re-election as party leader next year. While reports indicate that he retains support among DA members in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal, dissenting voices in Gauteng and the Western Cape suggest a growing divide in the party amid dissatisfaction over appointments in the Government of National Unity.

IOS