By Simon Nare
Former minister of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment Dion George has resigned from the Democratic Alliance (DA) and as the party’s MP, citing an “intolerable” situation stemming from strained relations with party leader John Steenhuisen.
In a statement read during a television interview on Thursday, George said he had formally informed the party in writing of his decision and accused the DA of bias against him in the ongoing feud with Steenhuisen.
“The situation has become intolerable. I am being pushed out and it is no longer feasible to remain in the party. I cannot remain in a party that has actions of its current leader John Steenhuisen being captured by the African National Congress and other criminal interests,” said George.
George said the fallout began when, while attending a conference in Brazil, he learned through the media that Steenhuisen had written to President Cyril Ramaphosa in November 2025 requesting his removal as minister, without providing any explanation.
He added that his lawyers had written to the party demanding reasons for his removal, but no response was forthcoming. Instead, he said, he continued to be attacked by Steenhuisen and his successor, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment Willie Aucamp, without any protection from the party.
“I was provided with a gag order from the party on the 24th of November 2025 after I defended myself in the media. This did not apply to others such as Willie Aucamp and John Steenhuisen, who both continue to attack me without any response or support from the party,” said George.
George further claimed that Steenhuisen’s alleged financial vulnerabilities had compromised his leadership of the DA.
“Steenhuisen’s personal financial vulnerability leaves the DA with a leader who cannot challenge the ANC in the GNU, who is willing to throw countless loyal hard-working DA leaders like me to the wolves when they stand up for DA members and South Africa’s interests, and who cannot exit the GNU under any circumstances, given that he is completely financially compromised.”
He added: “It is still my view that with skillful leadership, while jealously guarding our integrity, the DA’s participation in the GNU could have worked. Instead, Steenhuisen as the DA leader has been captured, because of his personal financial vulnerabilities.”
DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille said it was unfortunate that George resigned before answering questions relating to allegations that were due to be probed by the party’s Federal Legal Commission (FLC).
Some of the allegations include claims that appointments to George’s ministerial office were made in a manner that unjustifiably increased salaries at public expense, and that staff in his department sought departmental information to pursue internal party-political matters.
“It would have been preferable for Dr George to go through the FLC process to test the veracity of these allegations,” said Zille.
George’s resignation comes days after the DA announced it would institute a disciplinary inquiry into both Steenhuisen and George to determine whether either or both breached the party’s federal constitution by bringing the party into disrepute and undermining internal co-operation.
The party said its Federal Executive (FedEx) met on Monday to consider and adopt a preliminary investigation report led by FLC chairperson Glynnis Breytenbach, which contained findings and recommendations on the way forward.
George has since submitted a complaint to Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka against Steenhuisen and Aucamp.
The Public Protector’s office confirmed that the matter is in the assessment phase to determine whether it falls within its mandate.
Aucamp has also lodged a separate complaint with the Public Protector, alleging possible abuse of state resources during George’s tenure.
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