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DA leader resigns after mounting controversies
John Steenhuisen, the first Democratic Alliance (DA) leader to serve in South Africa's national government, announced his resignation on Tuesday following a series of scandals that have rocked the party. The move sets the stage for a potentially contentious leadership battle between black and white candidates, highlighting persistent racial tensions within the country's political landscape.
Scandals erode DA's 'clean governance' image
Steenhuisen, 49, faced intense criticism over his handling of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that devastated South Africa's livestock industry. Farmers, a key DA constituency, accused him of silencing dissent. Theo de Jager, executive chair of the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI), claimed critics of Steenhuisen's response were "pushed out, excluded, isolated, and treated with suspicion."
The damage deepened when Daily Maverick revealed a court judgment against Steenhuisen for unpaid personal credit card debt totaling 150,000 rand ($9,400; £6,700). Despite an annual salary of 2.69 million rand ($168,000), the financial lapse undermined his credibility. Steenhuisen defended himself, stating, "My personal finances have nothing to do with the Daily Maverick unless you can demonstrate illegal funds or corruption."
Internal strife and wildlife policy fallout
The resignation of Environment Minister Dion George, a DA federal finance chair, further strained the party's reputation. While no official reason was given, reports linked his dismissal to his opposition to wildlife trafficking-a stance praised by conservation groups. The EMS Foundation called George's removal a "political execution," accusing Steenhuisen of aligning with the wildlife-breeding sector after taking over the agriculture portfolio.
George retaliated by alleging a "smear campaign" and revealing he had confiscated Steenhuisen's DA-issued credit card due to unreconciled expenses, including UberEats, car rentals, and hotel stays. A DA inquiry later cleared Steenhuisen, but the damage was done.
Race and coalition tensions fuel leadership crisis
Steenhuisen's resignation reflects broader fractures within the DA, which joined President Cyril Ramaphosa's coalition government for the first time after the 2024 election failed to produce a majority. Analysts suggest his departure stems from frustration among DA hardliners over his conciliatory approach toward the ANC, the party's longtime rival.
"There was an expectation that Steenhuisen would fight for DA policies, but the opposite happened,"
Political analyst Khanyi Magubane
George echoed this sentiment, accusing the DA of being "captured" by the ANC. The coalition has faced hurdles, including the DA's refusal to support the government's budget twice last year, but Steenhuisen's support for Ramaphosa during a 2025 Oval Office meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump underscored the uneasy alliance.
Leadership race highlights racial divisions
Steenhuisen's exit has ignited speculation about his successor, with Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis seen as the frontrunner. However, Gauteng DA leader Solly Msimanga could mount a challenge. Analysts doubt Msimanga's chances, citing the party's reluctance to elect a second black leader after Mmusi Maimane's 2019 resignation.
"The DA has no appetite for a black leader at the moment. They need to appease the conservative right,"
Khanyi Magubane
The DA, historically perceived as representing white, Indian, and mixed-race South Africans, has struggled to shed its racial image despite Maimane's brief leadership. His 2019 departure followed a 1.5% drop in the party's vote share, with Maimane later stating the DA was "not the vehicle" to unite South Africa.
Legacy and future challenges
Steenhuisen's political career began in 1999 as a Durban councillor, rising to DA leader in 2019. His tenure was marred by past scandals, including a 2010 affair that forced his resignation as KwaZulu-Natal leader. Despite these setbacks, he maintained a close but fractious relationship with Maimane, who accused him of betraying the party's hardline stance in the coalition.
As the DA prepares for its April congress, the leadership contest will test the party's ability to reconcile its racial and ideological divides while navigating its first experience in national government.
