Key Takeaways
- The feud between Democratic Alliance (DA) party leader John Steenhuisen and former Environment Minister Dion George is ongoing, with George submitting an 84-page affidavit to the Public Protector accusing Steenhuisen of abusing his roles to orchestrate George’s removal from cabinet.
- George claims Steenhuisen replaced him with Minister Willie Aucamp due to Aucamp’s family links to the lucrative captive lion breeding and hunting industry.
- Steenhuisen has dismissed the allegations as "flimsy fabrications" and a "gross misunderstanding of mandates", while Aucamp has denied any involvement in captive lion breeding and lodged a counter complaint against George.
- The internal turmoil comes at a sensitive time, just months ahead of the DA’s elective federal congress in April 2026, where Steenhuisen is seeking a third term as leader.
Introduction to the Feud
The feud between Democratic Alliance (DA) party leader John Steenhuisen and former Environment Minister Dion George shows no signs of slowing down, with George taking it to the office of the Public Protector. In an 84-page affidavit submitted to Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, George accuses Steenhuisen of abusing his multiple roles as DA leader, Minister of Agriculture, and GNU negotiator to allegedly orchestrate George’s removal from cabinet in November 2025 under false pretenses. This move has sparked a heated exchange between the two, with each party denying the other’s allegations and lodging complaints against each other.
Allegations Against Steenhuisen
George claims that Steenhuisen replaced him with current Minister Willie Aucamp because Aucamp’s family allegedly benefits from the lucrative captive lion breeding and hunting industry — a sector George had actively worked to phase out during his tenure. These practices have drawn widespread criticism from animal welfare groups for ethical concerns, including poor animal welfare and misleading conservation claims. George further alleges that Steenhuisen unlawfully interfered in the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) by instructing George to meet with captive lion breeders and holding separate meetings with them. Steenhuisen has dismissed the allegations as "flimsy fabrications" and a "gross misunderstanding of mandates", describing them as revenge for George’s cabinet removal, which he attributes to underperformance.
Response from Steenhuisen and Aucamp
Steenhuisen insists he merely forwarded a meeting request from the Wildlife Ranching Association of South Africa to resolve legal disputes over hunting quotas, and that wildlife ranching falls under his agriculture mandate. On Aucamp’s background, Steenhuisen said he knows of no links to captive lion breeding, only a declared interest in game farming — comparing it to a farmer serving as agriculture minister or a doctor as health minister. Aucamp, who replaced George, has denied any involvement in captive lion breeding, calling George’s claims "untrue and fabricated." He acknowledges family game farming interests but insists they do not extend to lion breeding. Aucamp has also lodged a counter complaint against George, accusing him of abusing state resources and fabricating a whistleblower report to investigate him baselessly.
Escalating Feud
The feud between Steenhuisen and George has escalated, with each party lodging complaints against the other. Aucamp’s counter complaint alleges that George’s chief of staff, Shelton Mollentze, asked staff in the DFFE to open an investigation against him. George has denied initiating an investigation against Aucamp and stated that he had not seen the whistleblower report. Mollentze has also denied allegations of misconduct, stating that the department receives many whistleblower complaints and tips from many different stakeholders, and that they treat all of them with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity. This internal turmoil comes at a sensitive time, just months ahead of the DA’s elective federal congress in April 2026, where Steenhuisen is seeking a third term as leader.
Impact on the Democratic Alliance
The internal turmoil within the DA has sparked concerns about the party’s unity and leadership. The DA’s once-united front is cracking under these public battles, with leaked claims about Steenhuisen’s alleged party credit card misuse and unverified reports of George’s staff mistreatment adding fuel to the fire. The feud between Steenhuisen and George has highlighted the deep-seated divisions within the party, with some members calling for greater transparency and accountability. As the DA prepares for its elective federal congress in April 2026, the party will need to address these internal conflicts and work towards a more united front in order to maintain its position as a major opposition party in South Africa.