By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Presidency confirmed the request by the Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen to remove the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Dr Dion George.
George will be replaced with party spokesperson Willie Aucamp.
“The president and the minister have been in discussion. We will not engage in ongoing public commentary on the matter, said presidency.”
He was one of six DA members appointed as ministers as part of the Government of National Unity (GNU) after the 2024 elections.
Steenhuisen offered George the deputy minister of trade and industry position vacated by Andrew Whitfield.
Fullview understands that George declined the offer.
He is currently in Brazil for the United Nations’ climate gathering set for November 10-21.The summit is expected to focus on three core issues: adaptation, new climate pledges and finance.
George recently confirmed that the he was a dual United States (US) citizen and that he used his US passport for official travel purposes.
Meanwhile the DA is pushing for South Africa’s foreign policy to be ‘non-aligned’.
The GNU is expected to hold a lekgotla to try to get the 10 parties in the coalition to discuss the foreign policy.
Steenhuisen says the agreement was part of the statement which the party leaders issued last week Monday after what they called the two-day retreat at the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng.
At the upcoming foreign policy lekgotla, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola would be expected to give a presentation on foreign policy.
The DA has criticised the ANC governments’ referral of Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2023 for alleged genocide in Gaza and has rebuked it for its close ties with Iran.