Outcomes of the DA’s Federal Executive Meeting

Statement by Helen Zille – Chairperson of the DA’s Federal Executive:

Today, the DA’s Federal Executive Committee met to consider and adopt a preliminary investigation report into allegations against John Steenhuisen and Dion George.

The preliminary investigation was led by the Chairperson of the Federal Legal Commission, Glynnis Breytenbach.

The report, adopted by the Federal Executive, contains findings and recommendations on the way forward.

One of the allegations the FLC investigated was that the Leader had misappropriated party funds through the use of 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.

The FLC recommended that the policy on the use of party credit cards be strengthened by the Federal Finance Committee.

The Fedex accepted the FLC recommendation that a disciplinary inquiry be instituted to determine whether either or both John Steenhuisen or Dion George violated sections of the DA’s federal constitution, relating to bringing the party into disrepute, reflecting negatively on the party, and undermining internal co-operation within the party.

The Fedex further resolved to require all parties involved to “cease and desist” from publicly discussing or airing disagreements relating to this matter, either themselves or through proxies, until such time as the FLC inquiry is finalised. 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 Fedex resolved to refer to the FLC process:

• Allegations regarding the abuse of government resources.
• Public communication following the submission of complaints to the Public Protector.
• The refusal of a former member of George’s ministerial staff to co-operate with the investigation.
• The leaking of internal financial information from the party.

The Fedex requested the FLC to pursue all the inquiries on an expedited basis, giving it priority over other pending matters.

The DA takes all allegations of impropriety against its public representations very seriously.

We will continue to hold all our representatives to account for their conduct in public life.

⁠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.

⁠The DA remains committed to fighting for South Africans and is well advanced in preparations for the 2026 local government election, where we aim to increase our political footprint across the country by ensuring that our broken cities and towns are rescued from ANC-led collapse.