The Democratic Alliance (DA) is facing renewed scrutiny as allegations emerge that senior figures are using state resources to advance factional interests, mirroring accusations the party has long levelled against the ANC.
Political analyst Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast argues that the DA’s internal conflict has exposed a growing contradiction between its public stance and internal conduct, particularly as the party moves closer to its elective conference next year.
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These tensions have now escalated beyond internal disputes, with a formal complaint submitted to the Public Protector, raising questions about governance, accountability and leadership within South Africa’s official opposition.
Public Protector Complaint Sparks DA State Resource Misuse Claims
The controversy centres on a complaint lodged by Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp against his predecessor, Dr Dion George. Aucamp alleges that state resources were misused to conduct a politically motivated smear campaign against him.
Aucamp has called for an investigation into the alleged misuse of state machinery by George and former departmental staff. He claims that shortly after assuming office, he became aware of an investigation into his private business affairs, which he maintains was baseless.
According to Aucamp, the probe attempted to link him to the lion breeding industry — an association he firmly denies — and he believes the investigation may have been politically driven.
Leadership Fallout and Credit Card Allegations Deepen DA Infighting
Aucamp’s appointment in November followed DA leader John Steenhuisen’s request to President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove George from the cabinet. Steenhuisen cited “underperformance” and “mismanagement” as reasons for George’s dismissal.
George rejected these claims, suggesting his removal was retaliatory. He alleged that, as the DA’s federal finance chairperson, he had questioned Steenhuisen’s spending habits and was forced to revoke the leader’s access to a party-issued credit card due to irreconcilable personal expenses, including Uber Eats orders.
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At the same time, Steenhuisen came under public scrutiny following a May 2025 court default judgment of nearly R150,000 related to unpaid personal debt. These developments unfolded alongside other senior changes, including the June 2025 removal of DA Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Andrew Whitfield.
Analysts Warn of Pre-Conference Power Consolidation in the DA
Breakfast said the unfolding events reflect strategic manoeuvring ahead of the DA’s elective conference, accusing Steenhuisen of using state machinery to eliminate rivals in exchange for political loyalty.
“He is using the state machinery to purge his rivals in exchange for political support,” Breakfast said.
He added that Aucamp’s appointment was aimed at countering George, but warned that George still holds influence within the party’s financial structures.
“But he might have forgotten that that one (George) has ammunition as the treasurer of the party. That is why he exposed that Steenhuisen has been abusing the party’s credit card,” said Breakfast.
Breakfast further suggested that the silence of federal council chairperson Helen Zille signals a shift in internal power dynamics.
“That appointment has nothing to do with the party. That is why I am saying state machinery has been used to dish out favours in exchange for political support,” he said.
Governance expert and political analyst Sandile Swana echoed concerns, noting that while George had performed well in wildlife regulation, he clashed with vested interests within the DA, the Government of National Unity (GNU) and business circles.
Swana said this reflects “politics of the stomach”, adding that George’s prospects appear limited.
“George has no chance of surviving this, as Steenhuisen has money, while he only has intellectual capital and sound technical arguments,” he said.
Professor Theo Neethling described the dispute as increasingly resembling classic pre-conference positioning, where internal rivalries shape perceptions of authority and legitimacy.
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“Aucamp’s appointment is politically significant. He had previously been appointed by Steenhuisen as a DA national spokesperson — a role that typically reflects trust, loyalty and close alignment with the party leader’s strategic messaging,” Neethling said.
He added that Aucamp’s elevation reinforces perceptions that Steenhuisen is consolidating influence among trusted allies at a time of mounting internal contestation, signalling a phase of intensified competition over leadership, factional alignment and succession within the party.
In response, DA spokesperson Karabo Khakhau said the party could not comment on the allegations, stating that it was not aware of any evidence suggesting the DA is trading state resources for political gain.
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