Dion George's resignation highlights divisions within the DA

The internal politics and ideological differences are at play within the DA amid the resignation of former minister Dion George following his fallout with party leader John Steenhuisen.

This is according to two political analysts, who commented on what exactly is going on in the second-largest party within the Government of National Unity (GNU).

George said in his statement he learnt via the media last November that Steenhuisen requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove him as the minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment while he was representing our country at COP30 in Brazil.

“My attorneys have requested documents and they are not provided and no proper explanations in writing are received.”

At the time, there were reports about his performance in government that the DA was not happy about, along with a suggestion that he refused to become a deputy minister.

Reports also surfaced about Steenhuisen’s alleged misuse of a credit card and George’s successor, Willie Aucamp's business interests, with the party gagging members from commenting in the media.

The Federal Legal Council instituted an investigation and earlier this week cleared Steenhuisen of any wrongdoing, which was contrary to George that the credit card could not be reconciled.

Political analyst Professor Wayne Duvenhage said the saga was triggered by two reasons.

“One is ideological in nature about different perspectives on environmental life, the one Dion George, I believe was what we call a greenie and his successor, Willie Aucamp, who is more of a hunting guy and is connected to hunting and conservation, and he is in the wildlife industry and that type of thing,” he said.

Duvenhage also said the main trigger to the saga was Steenhuisen demoting George to a deputy minister, who in turn took revenge by exposing the alleged misuse of the credit card by the leader.

Another political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said he suspected internal politics and factionalism within the DA ahead of the elective conference to be held later this year.

“I think they have done a very good job of managing factionalism within the DA, but it's playing itself out now. People are beginning to see that not every DA member is happy with the leadership of Steenhuisen,” Ndlovu said.

However, he said, although he was unsure who else was contesting Steenhuisen for the top post, George was clearly unhappy about a lot of things.

“The fact that he has even resigned from being a member of the party speaks volumes. It's one thing to resign as a Member of Parliament and another to even resign from the party. I think it just goes to show us there is some unhappiness within the DA,” he said, adding that George highlighted the unhappiness with the party leader because he is a high-profile leader.

“I'm sure there are some individuals who are unhappy there, especially with a decision of the DA to join forces with the ANC,” Ndlovu said.

George has, in his statement, highlighted the posture taken by the DA in the GNU, and accused it of being captured by the ANC.

However, there have not been other leaders who came out in backing George during the turmoil.

Duvenhage said it was absolutely clear that within the DA, the support was not necessarily for Steenhuisen.

“But I think the support was for the DA process protocol,” he said, pointing out that Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille made the formal announcement after the legal commission made known its findings.

Duvenhage also said the clearing of Steenhuisen by the FLC was basically a motion of no confidence in George and support for Steenhuisen.

“I think that Dion George jumped before he was pushed because it was also clearly said that out of the investigation of Glynnis Breitennbach, there will be two disciplinary hearings,” he said.

Duvenhage said the tensions that bedevilled the DA could hurt it, as some opposition parties are likely to use this against them.

“I think there are people who are going to pull away from the DA,  but I am not seeing this as so significant that they cannot change that process in about 10 months' time,” he said.

Ndlovu said the reaction from DA supporters was unlikely to affect the party at the upcoming local government polls.

“Because these are local government elections, I don't think that it's going to have much of an impact. Maybe if it was a general election, it would have made a difference,” he said.

However, Duvenage said the resignation of George, who was the DA’s treasurer, is likely to impact their fundraising efforts somehow.

“I think that is probably the biggest challenge for the DA after George left, but we know the Democratic Alliance is one of the better organised and structured parties in the country.

“They have huge think tanks surrounding them. They have huge networks of connections, and I have no doubt that they will find a replacement for him very soon, and I cannot see that as a problem. It is going to be a temporary one. It's not going to be a permanent one,” he said.

 mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za