Steenhuisen’s exit divides DA: praise from allies, fury from critics as leadership battle looms

“He led the DA into shame, shambles and mockery and must be held to account for bringing the party into disrepute.”

While some hailed outgoing Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen’s decision to step down, this was the prevailing view among critics — both those still within the party and those who have since left.

Several insiders, citing a gag order imposed by the party, said they were barred from publicly discussing internal matters.

This includes former DA minister Dion George, who was removed from his position.

Steenhuisen has confirmed he will not seek re-election at the DA’s April leadership conference, but he will remain in his position as Minister of Agriculture — a move that has drawn sharp criticism, with some calling for his immediate removal.

“He cannot handle that portfolio; he lacks the understanding and intelligence for it. He is overwhelmed, and the way he handled the foot-and-mouth disease confirms this. The man is a mess and clueless. But he surrounded himself with mascots who will sing his praises — that’s how he survives,” said one party insider, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the internal gag order.

Former DA KwaZulu-Natal leader Sizwe Mchunu labelled Steenhuisen’s exit a “walk of shame.”

“John has been the party’s golden boy, but his leadership has far exceeded his competence. He chose to surround himself with close allies and friends. That has backfired, and he has lost support across several provinces, including his own, where he forced the appointment of Haniff Hoosen as the preferred mayoral candidate, despite resistance from senior leaders,” Mchunu told IOL.

Steenhuisen has defended his tenure, stating that he can now focus on managing the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, which continues to impact the agricultural sector. His approach has drawn criticism, including the threat of legal action from private agricultural organisations demanding the right to vaccinate cattle independently.

Despite this, Steenhuisen’s allies have praised his leadership, particularly his efforts to consolidate opposition parties ahead of the 2024 election.

Cape Town mayor and potential successor Geordin Hill-Lewis posted: “John Steenhuisen deserves honour and recognition for what he’s achieved as DA leader over the past six years. He took over at a very difficult time for the party, but he steadied the ship, got the DA focused again, and returned us to growth in 2024. He brought opposition parties together ahead of the 2024 election, and then led the DA into national government for the first time. That alone makes him one of the most consequential leaders in our party’s history.”

But not everyone agrees.

Former DA KZN campaign director Mbali Ntuli said Steenhuisen’s tenure was marked by “drama, scandal, alleged internal financial impropriety, and now, arguably, the final blow: the mishandling of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.”

“His leadership style, temperament and emotional intelligence made him a poor choice to lead the country’s national opposition. That much has been apparent to almost everyone except his own party. For that misjudgement, the DA itself must carry responsibility—particularly as it heads into what will be a bruising ten months before the next election,” she said.

IOL Politics