DA faces calls to discipline John Steenhuisen after explosive interview, insiders say

According to IOL, senior figures inside the Democratic Alliance (DA) are urging the party to take disciplinary action against former leader John Steenhuisen after his public criticism of the party and its leadership.

Pressure from within the party

DA members have expressed alarm at Steenhuisen’s recent interview in which he publicly accused senior party figures of betrayal and warned of deepening divisions. IOL reports that long-standing Federal Legal Commission member Shehana Kajee said Steenhuisen should face disciplinary measures for airing the party’s problems in public.

“I was previously asked by John Steenhuisen to remove my negative posts about the DA, yet he gets away with bringing the party into disrepute. He needs to face disciplinary action for airing the party’s problems in public, especially just months before the local government elections.”

Shehana Kajee, as quoted by IOL

Anonymous insiders detail reputational harm

IOL says several senior DA insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the outlet they believe Steenhuisen’s actions have damaged the party’s reputation and undermined unity ahead of the local government elections later this year.

“John embarrassed the party for far too long, and each time he got away with it. He made sure he placed his cheerleaders and friends in positions where he could count on their loyalty. He became the ANC’s puppet in the Government of National Unity. .He removed one of the best people we had in the party, Deon George, from his position. The final straw was alienating our key farming constituency through his disastrous handling of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Geordin did the right thing by removing him,”

anonymous DA insider, as quoted by IOL

Party response and wider political attention

According to IOL, the DA has rejected calls to suspend or discipline Steenhuisen. National spokesperson Karabo Khakhau told IOL that no formal charges have been laid against him, and that the party’s Federal Executive is considering allegations Steenhuisen made against former DA leader Tony Leon and his communications company.

IOL also reports that both the ANC and ActionSA have called for investigations into Steenhuisen’s claims about Tony Leon.

Recent context

IOL notes Steenhuisen was demoted from his role as Minister of Agriculture last month and that in his interview he accused newly elected DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis of betraying him after the Cabinet reshuffle.

Requests for comment

IOL has approached Steenhuisen for comment on whether he regrets any of his statements; IOL said his response will be included once received.