WATCH | 'Avoid speculation': Steenhuisen to announce DA leadership decision

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen is expected to withdraw from the party’s leadership race ahead of its national federal congress in April.

Steenhuisen has scheduled a press conference in his hometown of Durban on Wednesday, where he will address matters of national importance and public interest.

This announcement comes after reports emerged suggesting he will not seek re-election for a third term as party leader, despite having previously indicated his availability for re-election just a month ago.

Steenhuisen, who has led the DA since 2019, had been expected to face competition from senior party members, including Gauteng opposition leader Solly Msimanga and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

This announcement follows weeks of controversy, including a bitter public fallout between Steenhuisen and former Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries, Dion George.

George, who resigned from both the DA and Parliament, criticised Steenhuisen for his leadership style and accused him of allowing the DA to become "captured" by criminal interests.

In an interview with eNCA, George described his situation within the party as "intolerable" and confirmed that he had written to the DA to cancel his membership. "The situation has become intolerable. I am being pushed out, and it is no longer feasible for me to remain in the party," George said.

George also accused Steenhuisen of using his position for personal financial gain, citing allegations that Steenhuisen’s financial vulnerabilities influenced his leadership decisions.

"Steenhuisen, as the DA leader, has been captured because of his personal financial vulnerabilities," George claimed. Additionally, George criticised the DA for supporting ANC-backed budgets under the GNU, saying the party was compromising South Africa's interests for political convenience.

Steenhuisen’s financial troubles have also come under scrutiny. Last year, it was revealed that he faced a default judgment for nearly R150,000 in unpaid personal credit card debt, despite earning a high ministerial salary.

However, the DA’s Federal Executive recently cleared Steenhuisen of allegations that he misused a party credit card. Following an investigation by the DA's Federal Legal Commission, the party found no evidence of misappropriation of party funds.

Helen Zille, the DA’s Federal Executive Chairperson, stated, "All expenditure linked to the card had been fully reconciled. There is no prima facie evidence of misuse of party funds."

Zille also acknowledged that some personal expenses had been identified and explained, saying, "A small number of personal expenses identified during the review had been explained and reimbursed."

Although the investigation into Steenhuisen’s use of the party credit card has concluded, a separate inquiry is ongoing.

The DA's Federal Legal Commission has recommended a disciplinary inquiry to determine whether either Steenhuisen or George brought the party into disrepute due to their public fallout.

"The party’s federal legal commission had recommended that a disciplinary inquiry be instituted, a recommendation that was accepted by the federal executive," Zille said.

In a post on X, Steenhuisen urged the public to avoid speculation ahead of his press conference. "Tomorrow at 10am, I will make an announcement of national importance. Until you see me outlining the full set of facts tomorrow, avoid speculation," he wrote.

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