The leader of South Africa’s second-largest party in the governing coalition has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen from his cabinet post, in a move that signals growing tensions within the government.
Geordin Hill-Lewis, who recently succeeded Steenhuisen as leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in April, is also pushing for broader changes to the party’s representation in the national executive.
Hill-Lewis wants Steenhuisen replaced as agriculture minister and has proposed Willie Aucamp as his successor, saying the new appointee should be given an “immediate mandate” to address ongoing legal matters linked to recent developments in the agriculture sector.
Although Hill-Lewis did not publicly state the reasons for the request, it is widely believed to be connected to criticism over Steenhuisen’s handling of a recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that severely affected South Africa’s livestock industry.
Farmers and agricultural stakeholders have strongly criticised the minister, accusing him of failing to act decisively to contain the outbreak.
The DA currently holds six cabinet positions in President Ramaphosa’s government, alongside several deputy ministerial roles, following the 2024 general elections in which no party secured an outright majority.
The presidency has yet to respond to the request, although analysts suggest Ramaphosa is unlikely to reject it outright.
Steenhuisen, a long-time political figure and former DA leader, has also faced scrutiny over a financial scandal, which reportedly influenced his decision not to seek re-election as party leader.
He has since been nominated for a demotion to deputy minister of trade and industry.
The proposed reshuffle underscores ongoing political recalibration within the coalition government as parties negotiate influence and accountability in the post-election administration.
