Steenhuisen to Fight for DA Leadership Amidst Credit Card Row and Resignation Drama
Johannesburg – John Steenhuisen, the current leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), is set to contest for re-election at the party's federal elective conference in April, despite recent accusations of financial misconduct and the dramatic resignation of former DA MP Dion George.
Steenhuisen's decision comes in the wake of George's public accusations, made during a live eNCA interview, where he alleged that Steenhuisen was "captured" by the ANC and criminal elements. George, who was facing charges of bringing the DA into disrepute, resigned amidst criticism over his ministerial spending and allegations of sexual harassment from staff in his office, as previously reported by News24.
According to senior DA sources who spoke to News24, Steenhuisen remains confident and determined to retain his position. "John will run," one senior party member stated. "He remains the most popular leader in the DA. Speak to anyone in the DA’s local structures, and they will tell you why John is their leader."
The controversy stems from allegations made by George regarding Steenhuisen's use of a party credit card. George, who previously served as the DA’s federal finance chairperson and was in charge of the credit card, claimed that Steenhuisen had misused the card for unauthorised expenses, including Uber Eats and personal travel, and that he had removed the card in March 2025 due to these irregularities.
In his resignation statement, George claimed he first raised concerns about the credit card usage in March 2025, at the end of the financial year. He further alleged that the DA’s subsequent investigation, which cleared Steenhuisen, was a "whitewash of the irregularities."
"The DA deserves a leader of the highest calibre," George stated. "The DA’s federal legal commission whitewash of Steenhuisen’s credit card misuse was the final straw for me. The FLC report submitted this week reflects what the party has become under failed leadership."
He further elaborated, "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. When I removed the credit card as chairperson of federal finance in March 2025, it could not be reconciled. The only way a ‘full reconciliation’ could occur, as claimed by the DA FLC, is by cooking the books afterwards." George has called for a full and independent forensic investigation into the matter, to be disclosed to DA voters and donors before the upcoming conference.
However, the DA's federal legal commission (FLC) has cleared Steenhuisen of any wrongdoing, finding no evidence of credit card abuse. The FLC stated that the card expenditure had been fully reconciled and that any personal expenses had been adequately explained and reimbursed. News24 learned that while Steenhuisen did use the credit card to order Uber Eats for his supporting staff on a few occasions, and had made two transactions for his personal use, he repaid the money long before George's complaint.
A Steenhuisen supporter defended the leader, stating, "When John became party leader, he was given a R10 000 credit card and expected to wine and dine guests. But he never complained and used the card for legitimate expenses." The supporter contrasted Steenhuisen's spending with that of previous DA leaders, questioning whether Steenhuisen was "set up for failure." "Mmusi (Maimane, the former DA leader) had the party pay for his housekeeper, for domestic expenses and bodyguards. Helen (Zille, former DA leader and federal chairperson) had a big expenses account."
Another senior DA insider echoed this sentiment, "There is no indication that he stole any party money. None at all. It is telling that none of this bothered Dion until he was removed as a minister."
Steenhuisen was responsible for George's removal as minister in November, after requesting that President Ramaphosa replace him with DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp. The party’s federal executive unanimously approved the decision. Following his removal, George began making accusations against Steenhuisen, which he had not raised during his time in office.
A Steenhuisen sympathiser further alleged that George was the "last person to talk about financial abuse," claiming that George spent R24.4 million on travel and accommodation during his 18 months as minister, the most of any DA minister. "He said, openly, he was going to travel to as many countries as possible. He frequently spoke about all the power he has and how he could do anything with his pen," the source claimed.
George, in his interview, accused Steenhuisen of being financially vulnerable and therefore unable to challenge the ANC within the Government of National Unity (GNU). He claimed that Steenhuisen would "destroy" the DA if re-elected. "Steenhuisen’s personal financial vulnerability leaves the DA with a leader who cannot challenge the ANC in the GNU, who is willing to throw countless loyal hard-working DA leaders like me to the wolves when they stand up for DA members and South Africa’s interests, and who cannot exit the GNU, under any circumstances, given that he is completely financially compromised," George stated.
Some DA members view George's accusations as an attempt to derail Steenhuisen's leadership bid. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is considered a strong potential contender, but has stated he will not run if Steenhuisen is in the race. "Geordin has never contested an internal party election. He doesn’t like contestation. If you want something in politics, you contest. John is not afraid of contestation or confrontation," a DA source said.
Other party insiders have dismissed George's claims as fabricated. "95% of that interview was cooked. He lied to South Africans," one source told News24, referencing a presentation Steenhuisen gave on the need for a strong person at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Steenhuisen, when asked about George's allegations, told News24 that the federal executive had prevented him from speaking to the media on the matter. The FLC is still investigating whether either Steenhuisen or George have brought the party into disrepute.
Despite his resignation and the controversy surrounding his departure, George stated that he would not be joining another political party. He hinted at future plans, stating, "I do have something that I will announce in the near future, very exciting. And so, I don’t feel defeated. I felt very hurt, I felt extremely hurt that a party that I have given half my life to can do this to me and smear me as it did." He maintained that his public resignation was to clear his name and speak his truth.
Helen Zille, the DA's federal chairperson, expressed regret that George had resigned before answering a pending disciplinary hearing before the FLC, but wished him well.
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