Why Dion George quit the DA

Federal Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance’s Financial Affairs, Dr Dion George, said that the party’s alleged “whitewash” of leader John Steenhuisen’s credit card misuse was the final straw for him. 

“The DA deserves a leader of the highest calibre. The DA’s Federal Legal Commission (FLC) whitewash of Steenhuisen’s credit card misuse was the final straw for me,” said George in a statement.

“The FLC report submitted this week is a reflection of what the party has become under failed leadership.”

He announced the cancellation of his party membership and his resignation today in a broadcast on eNCA.

This follows a widely publicised feud with Steenhuisen after he was removed from his position as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. 

“The situation has become intolerable. I’m being pushed out and it is no longer feasible for me to remain in the party,” George told eNCA. 

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. 

However, the chairperson of the DA’s Federal Executive, Helen Zille, said that these expenses had been “adequately explained and reimbursed.”

Zille said that “the report found that the expenditure on the card had been fully reconciled,” and “ that there was no prima facie evidence of misappropriation.”

George says that this “is not possible.” He said that the only way the expenses could be fully reconciled is by cooking the books. 

“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.”

I’m being pushed out – George

George said that Steenhuisen’s financial vulnerability leaves the DA with a leader who cannot challenge the African National Congress 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. 

“I cannot support a Party whose leader has completely compromised its values and principles for his personal gain, while South Africans cannot find jobs and are not safe at home.”

The former Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment first became a DA member in 1995, and was sworn in as an MP in 2008. 

The public party infighting began in November 2025, when Steenhuisen requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove George from his ministerial post, citing underperformance and other issues.

This includes later-emerging allegations of staff bullying, excessive international travel, and misconduct. which George has denied.

Steenhuisen successfully pushed for Aucamp, a DA national spokesperson and MP with reported ties to game farming and wildlife ranching, to replace him.

This move drew criticism from George and environmental groups like the NSPCA and WAPFSA, who accused Steenhuisen of favouring pro-hunting or “sustainable use” interests in the captive lion breeding and trophy hunting sectors.

This has become a tit-for-tat cycle of accusations, Public Protector complaints, and media leaks.

The public conflict

Aucamp filed a complaint with the Public Protector in late December 2025, accusing George of abusing state resources and fabricating a whistleblower report to investigate Aucamp’s alleged links to the captive lion industry.

George countered aggressively in early January 2026 with an 84-page affidavit to the Public Protector, alleging Steenhuisen abused his roles as DA leader, GNU negotiator, and Agriculture Minister.

He said that this was to orchestrate George’s removal under false pretences to install Aucamp, who George claims has undisclosed conflicts benefiting from lion breeding/hunting.

George accused Steenhuisen of interfering in departmental mandates and called for probes into Aucamp’s ethics, including CITES decisions on abalone and lion breeding task teams.

Steenhuisen has dismissed George’s claims as “flimsy fabrications” and revenge for removal due to underperformance, while Aucamp denies lion breeding links, admitting only declared game farm interests.

Newsday reached out to Steenhuisen for further comment on the resignation. Comment will be added if received.

John Steenhuisen paid back the money