Steenhuisen says he was demoted, voices personal disappointment with new DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis

Former Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen has spoken publicly about his removal from the agriculture portfolio, saying he is “deeply disappointed” after being demoted by his successor, Geordin Hill-Lewis.

Deal to remain in agriculture, Steenhuisen says

In an interview with News24 after his removal last week, Steenhuisen said there had been a deal that he would remain as Minister of Agriculture in exchange for not running against Hill-Lewis for the DA leadership in April. He said the new leader instead demoted him to deputy minister of trade and industry.

Steenhuisen told the interviewer:

“I’m not going to lie to you or the listeners and say to you that I’m not disappointed. I’m deeply disappointed. But I think my disappointment lies more at a personal level than at a professional level.”

He said the personal hurt came from a broken promise:

“A word was given, and a word was broken. And that, for me, is the harder part, too, that I’ve had to digest over the last little while…”

Work on foot-and-mouth disease and the fight he wanted to finish

Steenhuisen said one reason he stood down as party leader was to focus on fighting foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). He said the deal would have kept him in the agriculture post at least until he reached his target of vaccinating 80% of the cattle. He added that he had been removed from the portfolio “with much progress having been made, and obviously a long way still to go”, and that he had wanted to see the work through.

Strong language and internal accusations

Steenhuisen used vivid language to describe his dismissal, saying it was like giving his head to a pack of hyenas:

“The hyenas have been circling for months, waiting for the moment to pounce. And now they’ve torn me down.”

He also warned the DA about what he called the “AfriMAGA mob”, saying appeasing them would send a signal to black, coloured and Indian voters. He criticised his former mentor Tony Leon for what he described as “relentlessly” driving negative FMD publicity against him, and accused Leon’s public relations firm of using its proximity to DA leaders to set up meetings between DA ministers in the government of national unity and the firm’s clients, including Starlink.

Response from Geordin Hill-Lewis

When contacted for comment, Hill-Lewis focused on campaigning and the party’s wider mission, saying:

“Our first and highest responsibility is to the public of South Africa. What we do, and the party we are building, really matters. It could define whether South Africa succeeds in future or not.”

He also addressed the allegation about public relations activity, stating:

“Public affairs and government relations are well-established industries in South Africa and around the world. Businesses, NGOs, industry bodies and other organisations routinely engage with political parties and public representatives on matters of public policy. That is entirely lawful and commonplace.”

Hill-Lewis added:

“No evidence has been presented that any DA public representative acted improperly or that any party process or public office was used to advance private commercial interests… The DA does not comment on hypothetical disciplinary questions based on unsubstantiated claims. Should credible evidence of wrongdoing ever be presented, the party has established processes to deal with such matters.”

Political reaction and context

The article notes that President Cyril Ramaphosa has yet to implement the DA’s Cabinet changes. Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe described Steenhuisen’s interview as a way of getting his own jab in, saying it is a form of pleading for sympathy that could either work in Steenhuisen’s favour or deepen divisions. Seepe characterised Steenhuisen’s remarks as those of “a wounded person” and said:

“He has lost power. If you have lost power, you can scream all you want.”

One source told the publication it had been difficult to read the temperature around the response to Steenhuisen’s interview. The source said that while many could sympathise with why Steenhuisen feels as he does, most would not agree with airing such grievances externally because it is “not in the best interest of a party.”

What remains unchanged

• Steenhuisen confirmed the deal to remain agriculture minister in exchange for standing down in the DA leadership contest.
• Hill-Lewis has defended the party’s approach and said no evidence has been presented of impropriety by DA representatives.
• President Ramaphosa had not yet implemented the DA’s proposed Cabinet changes at the time of the report.

Steenhuisen said he will continue to work and “do what I’ve done for the last 30 years,” despite his personal disappointment.