Leader of South Africa's second biggest party wants his predecessor sacked as minister
Summary
The leader of South Africa's second biggest party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove John Steenhuisen, the party's former leader, from his role as agriculture minister. The request comes amid criticism of Steenhuisen’s response to a livestock disease outbreak and follows changes announced by the new DA leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis.Key Facts
- Geordin Hill-Lewis became the leader of the DA party in April, succeeding John Steenhuisen.
- Hill-Lewis wants President Ramaphosa to sack Steenhuisen from his role as agriculture minister.
- The change is believed to be linked to criticism over Steenhuisen’s handling of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that hurt South Africa’s livestock industry.
- Steenhuisen faced criticism from farmers and a financial scandal, which influenced his decision not to run again as party leader.
- Hill-Lewis proposes Willie Aucamp as the new agriculture minister with a focus on resolving legal issues related to the disease outbreak.
- Other DA members are set for new government roles, including David Maynier as environment minister and Yusuf Cassim as deputy minister of higher education.
- The DA holds six cabinet positions in President Ramaphosa’s government coalition after the 2024 general elections.
- President Ramaphosa has not yet responded to the request to remove Steenhuisen.
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