Dion George resigns from DA, accuses Helen Zille of false allegations and political targeting

Dion George hits back at Helen Zille, calling allegations a ‘smear campaign’

Former DA Federal Finance Chairperson and ex-Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has fired back at Helen Zille, accusing her of orchestrating a “smear campaign” against him. The allegations, George says, are false and politically motivated, linked to his principled stance against corruption within the party and his refusal to protect vested commercial interests.

George announced his resignation from the DA last week, following the release of a Federal Legal Commission (FLC) report that cleared party leader John Steenhuisen of alleged misuse of a party-issued credit card. George had previously pushed for the investigation into Steenhuisen’s financial conduct, claiming misuse of donor funds for personal expenses.

Allegations and the DA’s position

Zille, in a statement issued shortly after George’s resignation, labelled his departure “unfortunate” and said George had left before internal disciplinary proceedings could conclude. The DA’s leadership alleged that George had:

• Made irregular staff appointments to his ministerial office

• Inflated salaries at public expense

• Allowed staff to pursue internal party matters using departmental resources

• Leaked internal financial information to the media

The DA argued that these issues had damaged the party’s reputation and that George should have faced the FLC process to respond formally.

George’s rebuttal

George’s legal team, Gittins Attorneys INC, strongly rejected the claims. They said no formal disciplinary, ethical, or investigatory process had been initiated in accordance with DA rules, natural justice, or constitutional fairness. “The who, what, where, and when of these smear campaigns have never been justified,” they said in a statement.

George also accused the DA of protecting Steenhuisen. He claimed that while he blocked misuse of party funds including purchases like Uber Eats and household expenses charged to the DA card the FLC report exonerating Steenhuisen was a “whitewash”.

“The latter is no trivial matter; the implications are that Minister Steenhuisen has treated donor funds as his own, open to personal abuse,” George’s attorneys said.

Political and commercial conflicts

George has framed his removal as part of a broader purge of independent voices within the DA. He highlighted his opposition to Steenhuisen’s leadership style and the influence of the lion breeding and hunting lobby. George alleges that his successor, Willie Aucamp, failed to disclose personal commercial ties to the industry and was placed strategically to protect these interests.

George maintained that his resignation was a principled decision, aimed at removing political distractions, and stressed that it does not imply admission of wrongdoing.

Public and political fallout

The resignation and accompanying accusations have reignited debates over accountability, leadership, and transparency within the DA. Many political observers note the tension between party oversight mechanisms and internal political alliances, suggesting that George’s departure exposes deeper fractures within the party.

The story has also captured attention on social media, with political commentators debating whether George’s claims of a “smear campaign” and the FLC “whitewash” reflect systemic issues or personal disputes.

As the dust settles, the DA faces growing pressure to clarify its internal processes and address concerns of governance, while George has positioned himself as a whistleblower calling for integrity and transparency.