Key Takeaways
- Former Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Dion George has resigned from the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Parliament
- George’s resignation comes after a bitter public fallout with party leader John Steenhuisen
- He accused Steenhuisen of capturing the DA on behalf of the African National Congress (ANC) and criminal interests
- George claimed he was removed as minister due to his refusal to bow to pressure from the ANC and illicit wildlife traffickers
- He denied claims that he rejected a post as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, saying the role was never formally offered
Introduction to the Resignation
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has been dealt a significant blow with the resignation of former Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Dion George. George announced his resignation during a sit-down interview with eNCA, where he read a statement outlining his reasons for leaving the party he joined in 1995. He confirmed that he had written to the DA to cancel his membership and had also stepped down as the party’s federal chairperson of finance and as a Member of Parliament. George cited the situation as "intolerable" and stated that he was being pushed out of the party.
The Fallout with John Steenhuisen
The resignation comes after a bitter public fallout with party leader John Steenhuisen. George was removed as minister in November at the DA’s request and replaced by party spokesperson Willie Aucamp. He learned of his removal through the media on November 7, 2025, while he was representing South Africa at COP30 in Brazil. George claimed that his attorneys had repeatedly requested documents relating to his removal, but received neither the documents nor written explanations. He also alleged that he was issued with a gag order by the party on November 24, 2025, after defending himself publicly.
Accusations of Capture
George accused Steenhuisen of capturing the DA on behalf of the African National Congress (ANC) and criminal interests. He claimed that Steenhuisen’s personal financial vulnerabilities had led to his capture, leaving the party "muzzled" and unable to lead in South Africa’s interests. George argued that the DA’s decision to join the Government of National Unity (GNU) required skilful and principled leadership, but instead, Steenhuisen had favoured co-option over accountability. He submitted a detailed complaint to the Public Protector, alleging Steenhuisen abused his position under the influence of criminal interests to engineer his removal as minister.
Disputes and Allegations
George denied claims that he rejected a post as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, saying the role was never formally offered. He frequently clashed with ANC leaders Gwede Mantashe and Kgosientsho Ramokgopa over mining appeals and emissions, and accused Steenhuisen of favouring co-option over accountability. George also criticised the DA for supporting ANC-backed budgets under the GNU, including those of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, which he said undermined South Africa’s interests and perpetuated race-based laws.
Financial Irregularities
A major point of contention was Steenhuisen’s use of the DA’s credit card. George alleged that, as chairperson of federal finance, he withdrew the card in March 2025 after discovering serious financial irregularities that could not be reconciled. He rejected findings by the DA’s Federal Legal Commission, which cleared Steenhuisen of wrongdoing earlier this week, describing the report as a "whitewash" and calling for an independent forensic investigation ahead of the party’s April conference. The DA has previously denied any financial misconduct, saying the credit card expenditure was fully reconciled.
The Future of the DA
George stated that South Africa had lost its way economically and diplomatically under the GNU, citing the government’s failure to secure favourable trade terms with the United States. He argued that the country needed a strong, clear, uncaptured voice, and that the DA could have been that voice. However, he warned that the party had one final shot to make a vital change in April and had better not miss it. The DA has announced that it will release a media statement shortly regarding the resignation and the allegations made by George. The party’s national spokesperson, Jan de Villiers, stated that they will not be doing interviews on the resignation and allegations for the moment.
