Cape Town – The DA has announced that it will institute a formal disciplinary inquiry into allegations against party leader John Steenhuisen and federal chairperson Dion George, following a meeting of the party’s Federal Executive Committee (Fedex) on Monday.
The Fedex considered and adopted a preliminary investigation report compiled by the Chairperson of the Federal Legal Commission (FLC), Glynnis Breytenbach. The report examined multiple allegations, including claims that Steenhuisen misappropriated party funds via his party-issued credit card.
“The report found that the expenditure on the card had been fully reconciled, that there was no prima facie evidence of misappropriation, and that the limited number of personal expenses had been adequately explained and reimbursed,” DA chairperson Helen Zille said in a statement.
The FLC recommended strengthening the party’s credit card policy through the Federal Finance Committee. However, the Fedex decided that a disciplinary inquiry should proceed to determine whether Steenhuisen or George had violated sections of the DA’s federal constitution, including provisions against bringing the party into disrepute, reflecting negatively on the party, and undermining internal cooperation.
Zille said the Fedex had also instructed that all parties “cease and desist” from publicly discussing or airing disagreements about the matter until the FLC inquiry is finalised. She warned that “Section 3.1.5.9 of the DA’s constitution provides for the cessation of membership of any party member who violates this warning.”
The FLC process will also investigate:
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Allegations of abuse of government resources;
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Public communications following complaints submitted to the Public Protector;
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The refusal of a former member of George’s ministerial staff to co-operate with the investigation;
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The leaking of internal financial information from the party.
“The Fedex has requested the FLC to pursue all inquiries on an expedited basis, giving it priority over other pending matters,” Zille said, adding that the party takes all allegations of impropriety against its representatives “very seriously.”
“The DA is committed to following due process in the handling of internal disciplinary matters and expects party members to respect the outcomes of this preliminary report and further inquiries, on which future decisions of the Fedex will be based,” she said.
The party reaffirmed its focus on the upcoming 2026 local government elections. Zille said the DA aims to “increase our political footprint across the country by ensuring that our broken cities and towns are rescued from ANC-led collapse.”
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Source: AFP
