John Steenhuisen

Following a public confrontation between John Steenhuisen and Dion George, allegations arose concerning use of the DA bank card for certain personal expenses. The party's Federal Legal Commission reviewed the expenditure. In January 2026, the DA announced that the expenses had been fully reconciled, that the few personal expenses had been explained and reimbursed, and that no prima facie evidence of misappropriation had been found.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following his removal from the Environment portfolio, Dion George filed a complaint with the Public Protector against Steenhuisen and Willie Aucamp, alleging, among other things, abuse of political and ministerial roles and improper interference in the environmental portfolio. The Public Protector confirmed receipt and preliminary assessment of the complaint.

Attribution

Directly implicated

The Agriculture Ministry's response to a serious foot-and-mouth disease outbreak attracted criticism from livestock farmers' groups, which threatened legal action, among other measures. In June 2026, the DA's new leadership asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to demote Steenhuisen from Cabinet; controversy over management of the outbreak was central to the public debate over his ministerial record.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

In 2024, Steenhuisen appointed Roman Cabanac, a controversial right-wing commentator, as chief of staff at the Agriculture Ministry. Following controversy over his previous positions, Steenhuisen asked him to leave. His contract ultimately ended in 2025 after he failed to obtain security clearance. In July 2026, the Public Protector found that the appointment procedure complied with requirements; in August, Cabanac's unfair dismissal challenge failed.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Court documents showed that a default judgment had been entered against Steenhuisen in May 2025 over nearly 150,000 rand in personal credit card debt. The revelation raised questions about his personal financial management just as separate allegations concerning a party card were emerging.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

In December 2020, Steenhuisen removed Phumzile van Damme from her position as Shadow Minister of Communications and granted her a health-related "sabbatical" which she said she had not requested. Van Damme claimed she was being sidelined and considered legal action. She resumed her parliamentary duties in February 2021 after the disagreement was resolved.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Direct responsibility

In 2010, while leading the DA in KwaZulu-Natal, Steenhuisen resigned as provincial leader following the revelation of an affair with Terry Kass-Beaumont, the party's media official, while both were married.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Directly implicated