I didn’t betray Steenhuisen, says new DA federal leader
Steenhuisen also claimed he suspected former DA leader Tony Leon had played a central role in orchestrating his political downfall.
DA’s federal leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has dismissed suggestions that he betrayed long-time political ally and former party leader John Steenhuisen, saying the decision to remove him as Agriculture Minister was made in the interests of both the country and the party.
Responding to comments made by Steenhuisen in a recent News24 interview — in which the former DA leader described his removal from the Agriculture portfolio and reassignment as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition as akin to handing “my head to a baying mob of hyenas”, Hill-Lewis said the decision had not been taken lightly.
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He also dismissed suggestions that he had turned against one of his closest political allies.
“I think personal relationships always make it an incredibly tough space, and this one particularly so,” he said.
Steenhuisen also claimed he suspected former DA leader Tony Leon had played a central role in orchestrating his political downfall.
Until the recent cabinet reshuffle, Hill-Lewis had widely been regarded as one of Steenhuisen’s closest allies, with the two having worked closely together during Steenhuisen’s tenure as federal leader.
However, Hill-Lewis said occupying the highest office in the party required him to place the national interest ahead of personal relationships.
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While the decision to remove Steenhuisen from the Agriculture portfolio was “indescribably difficult”, Hill-Lewis said that as DA leader — a party that plays a major role in shaping the direction of government — it would have been irresponsible to make decisions based on personal loyalties.
Steenhuisen dropped out of the DA leadership race in April amid growing internal criticism, much of it linked to his handling of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that has severely affected the livestock industry.
According to insiders, Hill-Lewis had afforded Steenhuisen a brief period to demonstrate progress in addressing challenges facing the agriculture sector before making a decision on his future.
However, when an influential agriculture lobby group within the DA continued to express dissatisfaction with Steenhuisen, sources said Hill-Lewis found himself with little choice but to drop him from the Agriculture portfolio.
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The proposed changes would see Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Willie Aucamp take over the Agriculture portfolio, while Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier is tipped to replace Aucamp.
While President Cyril Ramaphosa has the final say on ministerial and deputy ministerial appointments, he is widely expected to implement Hill-Lewis’ recommendations.
