'Discipline Steenhuisen': DA insiders revolt after bombshell interview

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is facing mounting pressure from within its own ranks to institute disciplinary action against former party leader John Steenhuisen after his explosive public criticism of the party and its leadership.

"I was previously cautioned by John Steenhuisen against airing my concerns about the party on social media rather than following party structures, yet he gets away with bringing the party into disrepute by giving a whole interview. He needs to face disciplinary action for airing the party's problems in public, especially just months before the local government elections."

These are 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.

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