The Democratic Alliance’s Federal Executive Committee has taken the unusual step of ordering a disciplinary inquiry into party leader John Steenhuisen and axed Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Dion George, even as it cleared Steenhuisen of allegations that he misappropriated party funds.
In a media statement issued yesterday, DA Federal Executive Chairperson Helen Zille announced the outcomes of a preliminary investigation led by Federal Legal Commission Chairperson Glynnis Breytenbach into various allegations against the two senior party figures.
The investigation found no evidence of financial misappropriation by Steenhuisen regarding his party-issued credit card. According to the report, all expenditure had been “fully reconciled” with no prima facie evidence of wrongdoing. The limited personal expenses identified were adequately explained and reimbursed.
However, the Federal Executive accepted recommendations to strengthen the party’s credit card usage policies through the Federal Finance Committee.
Despite clearing the financial allegations, the Federal Executive approved a disciplinary inquiry to determine whether Steenhuisen or George violated sections of the DA’s federal constitution. The potential violations relate to bringing the party into disrepute, reflecting negatively on the party, and undermining internal cooperation.
In a significant move, the Federal Executive has ordered all parties involved to “cease and desist” from publicly discussing or airing disagreements related to this matter. This applies to both direct communication and statements made through proxies. The party’s constitution provides for the cessation of membership for any member who violates this directive.
The Federal Executive referred several other serious matters to the Federal Legal Commission for expedited investigation. These include allegations of government resource abuse and public communications that followed complaints submitted to the Public Protector. The inquiry will also examine a former ministerial staff member’s refusal to cooperate with the investigation, as well as the leaking of internal party financial information.
All these matters have been prioritised by the Federal Legal Commission, which has been instructed to fast-track these inquiries ahead of other pending cases.
Despite the internal turmoil, Zille said the DA remains focused on the 2026 local government elections. The party aims to expand its political footprint and “rescue broken cities and towns from ANC-led collapse.”
The leadership appears determined not to let the internal disputes derail their electoral strategy, with preparations for the local government elections described as “well advanced.”
“The DA takes all allegations of impropriety against its public representatives very seriously,” Zille stated. “We will continue to hold all our representatives to account for their conduct in public life.”
The party has made it clear that future decisions by the Federal Executive will be based on the findings of these comprehensive inquiries.
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