Pressure is mounting on the DA, from within its own ranks to institute disciplinary action against former party leader John Steenhuisen after his explosive public criticism of the party's leadership.
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Why is former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen not being called to order after he bad-mouthed the party's leadership recently?
That is view held by some members of the party, and they believe his utterances warrants disciplinary action.
Their discontent has placed mounting pressure on the DA, from within its own ranks to institute disciplinary action against Steenhuisen after his explosive public criticism of the party's leaders.
"I was previously asked by John Steenhuisen to remove my negative posts about the DA, yet he gets away with bringing the party into disrepute. He needs to face disciplinary action for airing the party's problems in public, especially just months before the local government elections."
Those were the words of long-standing DA Federal Legal Commission member Shehana Kajee, whose call follows Steenhuisen's bombshell interview with News24 in which he accused senior party figures of betrayal and warned of deepening divisions within the DA.
Steenhuisen, who was demoted from Minister of Agriculture last month, accused newly elected DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis of betraying him after the Cabinet reshuffle.
However, Kajee is not alone. Several senior DA insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, told IOL they believe Steenhuisen's actions have damaged the party's reputation and undermined its unity ahead of the local government elections later this year.
"John embarrassed the party for far too long, and each time he got away with it. He made sure he placed his cheerleaders and friends in positions where he could count on their loyalty. He became the ANC's puppet in the Government of National Unity. He removed one of the best people we had in the party, Deon George, from his position. The final straw was alienating our key farming constituency through his disastrous handling of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Geordin did the right thing by removing him," the insider said.
The party has been working to contain the fallout between Steenhuisen and Hill-Lewis and limit the damage to its public image ahead of this year's local government elections.
Steenhuisen's allegations — particularly his claim that former DA leader Tony Leon used his party connections to advance private business interests — have also drawn political attention. Both the ANC and ActionSA have called for investigations into the claims.
The DA has, however, rejected calls to suspend or discipline Steenhuisen. National spokesperson Karabo Khakhau said no formal charges have been laid against him, although the party's Federal Executive is considering the allegations he made against Leon and his communications company.
IOL has approached Steenhuisen for comment on whether he regrets any of his statements. His response will be included once received.
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