DA leaders accused of using state resources in party factional squabbles

AN INTERNAL power struggle in the DA is believed to be at the centre of the latest attempt to have axed forestry, fisheries and environment minister Dr Dion George probed by the public protector following a complaint lodged by his successor Willie Aucamp. 

Aucamp wants George investigated over his alleged misuse of state resources for a political 'smear operation'.

Aucamp was appointed in November after the DA’s leader, John Steenhuisen, asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove George citing “underperformance” and “mismanagement” as the primary reasons for the removal. 

When he assumed office, Aucamp claims that is when he became aware of a baseless investigation into his private business affairs.

This investigation, he claims, falsely sought to associate him with the lion breeding industry — an industry with which he states he has no connection. And he says it may have been politically motivated.

George had previously denied Steenhuisen’s claims of “underperformance” and  “mismanagement”, suggesting his removal was a retaliatory move after he, in his capacity as the DA's federal finance chairperson, questioned Steenhuisen’s spending habits.

He alleged that he had to revoke Steenhuisen’s access to a party-issued credit card due to irreconcilable personal expenses, including Uber Eats orders. Simultaneously, Steenhuisen faced scrutiny over a May 2025 court default judgment for nearly R150,000 in unpaid personal debt. 

Both Steenhuisen and George are under investigation by the Federal Legal Commission (FLC) over their behaviour following a public fallout.

The party’s rank and file said the investigation by the FLC could prove damaging to both leaders heading into the party's leadership conference next year where Steenhuisen's future as party leader is no longer certain following revelations of a damning financial scandal.

A rank and file member, who asked not to be named, said the investigation by the FLC could be damaging for both leaders. 

“We understand that the investigation is looking into how these two leaders have behaved following their public fallout. It is examining possible misuse of party funds and the smear campaigns that these two have been running in the media against each other.

“While the chances of Steenhuisen retaining the party leadership are still 50-50, I believe that the investigation is likely to damage both of them heading into this conference,” said a party member.

Weighing on the public protector move, political analyst, Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast said Steenhuisen was using the state machinery to purge his rivals in exchange for political support.

He said Aucamp was also appointed to fight George. 

“But he might have forgotten that that one (George) has ammunition as the treasurer of the party. That is why he exposed that Steenhuisen has been abusing the party’s credit card,” said Breakfast, adding that the silence of the party's federal leader, Helen Zille, shows that Steenhuisen is no longer a favourite, and has appointed Aucamp as the Minister to benefit himself. 

“That appointment has nothing to do with the party. That is why I am saying state machinery has been used to dish out favours in exchange for political support,” he said. 

Governance expert and political analyst Sandile Swana said that although George has done well in terms of regulating wildlife, Steenhuisen and Aucamp had to deal with him as he conflicted with the vested interests within the DA, GNU and businesses.

DA spokesperson Karabo Khakhau said the party cannot comment as it does not know the basis of the allegations that the organisation is trading state resources for political gain.

Cape Times