Simon Nare
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will institute a disciplinary inquiry into its leader, John Steenhuisen, and former Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dion 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 Federal Legal Commission (FLC) chairperson Glynnis Breytenbach. The report contained findings and recommendations on the way forward.
One allegation examined by the FLC was that Steenhuisen misappropriated party funds through the use of his party-issued credit card.
The report found that expenditure on the card had been fully reconciled, that there was no prima facie evidence of misappropriation, and that a limited number of personal expenses had been adequately explained and reimbursed, the DA said.
It recommended that the party’s credit-card policy be strengthened by the Federal Finance Committee.
“The Fedex accepted the FLC recommendation that a disciplinary inquiry be instituted to determine whether either or both John Steenhuisen or Dion George violated sections of the DA’s federal constitution, relating to bringing the party into disrepute, reflecting negatively on the party, and undermining internal co-operation within the party,” the DA said.
FedEx also instructed all parties involved to “cease and desist” from publicly discussing or airing disagreements about the matter — either directly or through proxies — until the FLC process is finalised, warning that the DA constitution provides for the cessation of membership for any member who violates the instruction.
The dispute flared into public view after George was removed from cabinet by President Cyril Ramaphosa in November 2025, following a formal request from Steenhuisen. Ramaphosa appointed Willie Aucamp as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to replace George.
George has since submitted a complaint to Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka against Steenhuisen and Aucamp, which the Public Protector’s office said is in an 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.
The DA said the FedEx had referred several issues to the FLC process, including allegations regarding the abuse of government resources, public communication after submissions to the Public Protector, the refusal of a former member of George’s ministerial staff to co-operate with the investigation, and the leaking of internal financial information from the party.
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