DA clears Steenhuisen in party credit card-use saga

DA leader John Steenhuisen has been cleared of allegations that he misappropriated party funds through the use of his party-issued credit card.

This follows an internal investigation established after the DA federal finance chairperson Deon George reportedly revoked Steenhuisen’s access to a party-issued credit card due to unreconciled personal expenses.

In a statement on Monday, DA Federal Executive chairperson Helen Zille said the preliminary investigation led by the Chairperson of the Federal Legal Commission, Glynnis Breytenbach found that the expenditure on the card had been fully reconciled, that there was no prima facie evidence of misappropriation, and that the limited number of personal expenses had been adequately explained and reimbursed.

She made the announcement following a meeting of the party’s Federal Executive Committee (FLC) on Monday to consider and adopt the  preliminary investigation report into allegations against Steenhuisen and  George.

“The Fedex accepted the FLC recommendation that a disciplinary inquiry be instituted to determine whether either or both John Steenhuisen or Dion George violated sections of the DA’s federal constitution, relating to bringing the party into disrepute, reflecting negatively on the party, and undermining internal co-operation within the party, said Zille.

George was removed from his position as Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment  by President Cyril Ramaphosa in November following a formal request from Steenhuisen, who framed the decision as a “standard reshuffle" to strengthen the party’s performance in the Government of National Unity (GNU). 

In a 85-page affidavit submitted to the Public Protector, George alleged that Steenhuisen orchestrated his removal from the cabinet to install a successor who would protect specific commercial interests, specifically of the captive lion breeding and hunting industry.

Steenhuisen has dismissed the allegations. George also faces a public protector probe after his successor Willie Aucamp lodged a complaint against him. 

Zille said the Fedex also resolved to refer to the FLC process allegations regarding the abuse of government resources, public communication following the submission of complaints to the Public Protector and the refusal of a former member of George’s ministerial staff to co-operate with the investigation.

“The DA takes all allegations of impropriety against its public representations very seriously. We will continue to hold all our representatives to account for their conduct in public life,” said Zille. 

The party has asked  all parties involved to “cease and desist” from publicly discussing or airing disagreements relating to this matter, said Zille. 

“⁠The DA is committed to following due process in the handling of internal disciplinary matters and expects party members to respect the outcomes of this preliminary report and further inquiries, on which future decisions of the Fedex will be based.”

Cape Times