By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The former minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental (DFFE) and Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament, Dion George, has resigned from the party with immediate effect.
George made the announcement a short while ago in an exclusive live interview on eNCA, saying internal power struggles have left the DA in a position where it is unable to lead in South Africa’s interests.
This follows a widely publicised feud with party leader John Steenhuisen after he was removed from his position as the minister.
“The situation has become intolerable. I’m being pushed out and it is no longer feasible for me to remain in the party, “George said.
The former Minister alleged that his removal and public attacks by Steenhuisen and the new Minister, Willie Aucamp, can be traced back to his raising red flags over Steenhuisen’s use of party funds.
“I removed the credit card provided to Steenhuisen by the DA in March 2025 at the end of the last financial year, because of serious financial irregularities,” he said.
“At that time, the expenses Steenhuisen incurred could not be reconciled – he was abusing DA donors’ money by incurring expenses for which the card was not intended.”
George said Steenhuisen incurred the irregular expenses despite the fact that the DA – at his request- was paying him an additional allowance so that his annual compensation was on par with that of the Deputy President.
“The statement issued by the DA on 12 January is an attempt to whitewash these irregularities and hide the truth from DA voters and donors,”
The party reported on 12 January that a “limited number of personal expenses” were paid for using the DA card.
“This matter requires a full and independent forensic investigation that is disclosed to the DA’s voters and donors before the upcoming DA conference in April.”
George said that Steenhuisen’s financial vulnerability leaves the DA with a leader who cannot challenge the African National Congress (ANC) in the Government of National Unity, and who is open to manipulation from the ANC and criminal external elements.
The former minister further stated that the DA has been effectively silenced by the ANC on crucial issues, such as the cost of Black Economic Empowerment, and the ANC’s rocky relationship with the United States.
“I cannot support a Government and a party that perpetuates race laws. I cannot support a Government and a Party that invite South Africa’s dangerous authoritarian adversaries into our most sensitive and critical infrastructure to exploit our country,” he said.
George became a DA member in 1995, and was sworn in as an MP in 2008.
The DA confirmed the resignation and in a statement issued on Monday, the party expressed regret that George stepped down before facing the Federal Legal Commission (FLC) to respond to a series of serious allegations.
The accusations include claims that staff appointments within his ministerial office led to unjustified salary increases at taxpayers’ expense. He is also alleged to have used ministry staff to access departmental information for internal party purposes. Additionally, the party cites concerns over conduct that allegedly brought the DA into disrepute via media engagements.
The DA noted that it would have preferred George to remain in the party and subject himself to the FLC inquiry, to properly test the merits of the allegations.