DA Leadership Intervenes as Steenhuisen-George Row Threatens Recent Political Gains

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has moved to contain an escalating confrontation between party leader John Steenhuisen and federal finance chair Dion George.

The tension followed the DA’s earlier request that President Cyril Ramaphosa remove George as environment minister and replace him with Willie Aucamp, a move The Common Sense had argued was justified on the grounds that George’s approach to the portfolio had become overly ideological and economically damaging. George, who also serves as the DA’s federal chair of finance, remains a key figure in party financial oversight. Shortly after George’s removal, media reports revealed that Steenhuisen had faced a default judgment over unpaid personal credit card debt of almost R150 000 while earning a ministerial salary, and that his DA party credit card had been withdrawn for allegedly ordering Uber Eats on that card.

In a statement on Monday, Federal Executive chair Helen Zille said the matter would be referred to the Federal Legal Commission for a full investigation. She said the inquiry would focus on whether any violations of the DA constitution or party rules had occurred in the origin or progression of the conflict.

Zille also moved to restore discipline by instructing all individuals involved in the dispute to stop arguing their case through the media. She told those directly or indirectly connected to the disagreement to allow the party’s internal processes to run their course without further public intervention.

She added that the DA remained committed to ethical, accountable and responsive service to all South Africans.

Recent polling by the Social Research Foundation, covered in detail by The Common Sense, has shown the DA consolidating its national support base and closing the gap with the ANC. Against that backdrop, senior figures fear that visible internal conflict could put hard won gains at risk.

Warwick Grey, senior editor at The Common Sense, said: “The party needs to steady itself after a period of positive performance. Voters are responding well to the DA in recent polling and internal party discipline is essential because voters are very put off by seeing politicians fighting with each other instead of working on the country's pressing issues.”