Steenhuisen's exit shows the DA is split, Lesufi argues
ANC Gauteng leader Panyaza Lesufi says John Steenhuisen’s decision not to seek re-election as Democratic Alliance leader highlights growing divisions within the party.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
Outgoing Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen’s decision not to seek re-election at the party’s upcoming elective conference in April is a clear sign that the DA is divided, says ANC Gauteng provincial task team co-convenor Panyaza Lesufi.
Lesufi made the remarks while addressing the ANC’s 114th anniversary January 8 celebrations in Soweto on Sunday.
He said that although the ANC performed poorly in the May 2024 general elections — its worst result since 1994 — it remained the party with the highest share of the vote.
This was the first time the ANC lost its parliamentary majority since the advent of democracy.
That left the party with no choice but to enter into a Government of National Unity (GNU) with former rivals, including the DA and the Freedom Front Plus.
Lesufi said the party’s recent National General Council (NGC) acknowledged the electoral setback but maintained that the ANC remained the dominant political force.
“We might have lost elections, but the African National Congress remains the only party that received the highest number of votes,” he said.
“Those who want to work with us in government must know that we invited them.”
He stressed that the ANC was not invited to form a coalition government at the national level, but initiated the GNU.
“This Government of National Unity is an ANC-led government of national unity,” Lesufi said.
However, the GNU has been marred by tensions between the ANC and the DA, particularly over policy direction, leadership disputes, and allegations of corruption and weak accountability.
The DA, the second-largest party in the GNU, has clashed with its partners on several legislative fronts.
It previously challenged the Expropriation Without Compensation Act and the Employment Equity Amendment Act in court.
In April last year, the DA successfully opposed the fiscal framework in Parliament, which the ANC ultimately passed with the support of non-GNU parties, including ActionSA and Build One South Africa.
The ANC has questioned the DA’s stability after leader John Steenhuisen announced he would step aside, with Gauteng leader Panyaza Lesufi arguing the move reflects internal conflict over cooperation with the ANC-led government.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
Lesufi warned that continued resistance from the DA could jeopardise its place in government.
“The NGC was very clear: if you don’t respect us, if you don’t share the same vision or path — especially on international relations — we will proceed with those who are willing to work with us,” he said.
He said Steenhuisen’s announcement exposed growing divisions within the DA.
“The decision taken by Steenhuisen shows that the DA is now divided,” Lesufi said.
“There is a DA of Gogo (Helen) Zille that is outside, and there is a DA of Steenhuisen that wants to remain in government.”
He said voters must recognise that the DA could not straddle both government and opposition.
“The DA must decide whether it is in government or in opposition. It cannot be both,” he said.
Lesufi accused the DA of attempting to reverse transformation efforts and said the ANC was focused on rebuilding its structures ahead of future elections.
“We want to reach a point where we are not begging political parties, but asking South Africans to vote for the African National Congress,” he said.
Speaking in Durban last week, Steenhuisen announced he would not seek a third term as DA leader, stating that he would focus on his responsibilities as Minister of Agriculture in the GNU.
The DA thanked Steenhuisen for six years of leadership. The blue party credited him with steering the party through a volatile political period and securing a historic breakthrough by entering national government.
“Under his leadership, the DA strengthened its institutional stability and achieved a long-standing objective pursued by successive generations of leaders,” the party said in a statement.
Lesufi, however, dismissed that, insisting the move reflected internal disagreement over how the party should engage with the ANC.
Meanwhile, he urged ANC members to prioritise unity ahead of the party’s provincial elective conference, discouraging leadership disputes and premature campaigning for the 2027 national conference.
DA leader John Steenhuisen announced that he will not seek re-election at the party's upcoming elective conference in April.
Image: Tumi Pakkies / Independent Newspapers
His remarks come amid an investigation into possible voting irregularities following reports that ballot papers allegedly linked to the ANC’s Greater Johannesburg regional conference were found at a private residence in Pretoria.
The independent election management company, EMCA, denied any involvement, saying the alleged discovery occurred under irregular circumstances and without a valid search warrant.
The company said all ballot papers had been properly secured and sealed under strict chain-of-custody procedures.
Lesufi announced that the ANC’s Gauteng provincial conference would take place from May 15 to 17, saying it would focus on policy and organisational renewal rather than leadership battles.
“Our conferences are not business,” he said.
“They are a battle of ideas to build a stronger African National Congress. We are tired of people doing silly things in the name of conferences.”
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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