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3 months ago
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DA Leader John Steenhuisen has requested that President Cyril Ramaphosa sack Dion George.
Gallo Images/Jeffrey Abrahams
- DA leader John Steenhuisen has asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to replace Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Dion George with party spokesperson Willie Aucamp.
- George was one of six DA members appointed as ministers in the government of national unity after the 2024 elections.
- Steenhuisen also recommended DA MP Alex Abrahams as deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, replacing Andrew Whitfield, who was fired earlier this year.
DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has requested that President Cyril Ramaphosa sack Dion George, the minister of environment, forestry and fisheries, and replace him with party spokesperson Willie Aucamp.
George was one of six DA members appointed as ministers as part of the government of national unity after the 2024 elections.
According to four insiders with knowledge of the matter, Steenhuisen has also recommended that DA MP Alex Abrahams be appointed as the new deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, replacing Andrew Whitfield, who was fired by Ramaphosa earlier this year over an unsanctioned trip abroad.
Party insiders say the proposed changes follow complaints and allegations of underperformance against George.
The matter was discussed by the DA’s federal executive, the party’s highest decision-making body, which reportedly finalised the recommendation on Wednesday.
DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp.
When approached for comment, George told News24 that he had no plans to resign from Cabinet and was unaware of any reshuffle.
Minister Dion George (Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment) at the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) Technical and Ministerial Meetings on Day 1 on October 13, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. The meeting aims to enhance cooperation amongst all G20 members and invitees to address environmental and climate change priorities. (Photo by Gallo Images/Misha Jordaan)
(Photo by Gallo Images/Misha Jordaan)
Asked about the reported reshuffle, Steenhuisen declined to comment.
“I do not comment on meetings with FedEx (federal executive),” he said.
Pressed on whether he had spoken to the president, Steenhuisen refrained from commenting.
Aucamp told News24 he was not in a position to discuss the matter.
He said:
I cannot comment on anything that has come out of a FedEx meeting of which I was not a part, so I can’t comment on that. I was not part of that FedEx meeting.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that Ramaphosa and Steenhuisen have been in discussions over potential changes to the DA’s Cabinet positions.
“The president and minister have been in discussion. However, we will not engage in ongoing public commentary on the matter. When the president is ready to make an announcement, everybody will know what has been decided,” he said.
