ATM has asked Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka to urgently probe alleged extra pay for senior DA leaders, including Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and ... Show more
ATM requests investigation into Steenhuisen's 'secret top-up' salary payments
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centrist-liberal political party in South Africa formed in 2000
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Public Protector says Senzo Mchunu probe at advanced stage amid calls to explain delays
iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-07-09-public-protector-says-senzo-mchunu-probe-at-advanced-stage-amid-calls-to-explain-delays/
Key FactsUrgent Update Needed on Mchunu Investigation Delay
Jul 6, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: citizen.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: citizen.co.za
- The ATM has called for the public protector to provide a detailed update on the investigation into suspended Minister Mchunu.
- The complaint concerning alleged corruption and political interference was submitted on July 7, 2025, following a high-profile police warning.
- Parliament’s constitutional mandate requires timely and transparent handling of executive misconduct investigations.
- Delays in concluding the inquiry risk eroding public trust in the public protector’s office and South Africa’s democratic institutions.
The public has a legitimate interest in ensuring such allegations are investigated thoroughly, impartially, and within a reasonable timeframe. Therefore, we respectfully request that the portfolio committee prioritise this matter at the commencement of the third parliamentary term and provide feedback on the steps it intends to take in exercising its oversight responsibilities.— Vuyo Zungula, parliamentary leader of the African Transformation Movement (ATM), in relation to his letter to the portfolio committee calling for timely oversight on the investigation into the Mchunu case.
Steenhuisen faces demotion as Hill-Lewis proposes DA cabinet overhaul: Willie Aucamp would replace John Steenhuisen as minister of agriculture
timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-06-17-steenhuisen-faces-demotion-as-hill-lewis-proposes-da-cabinet-overhaul/
Public Protector clears Ramaphosa over Steenhuisen's remarks during Oval Office meeting with Trump
iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-04-14-public-protector-clears-ramaphosa-over-steenhuisens-remarks-during-oval-office-meeting-with-trump/
Key FactsRamaphosa Cleared After Oval Office Controversy
Apr 14, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
- The Public Protector found no wrongdoing by President Ramaphosa following Minister Steenhuisen's remarks during a May 2025 meeting with U.S. President Trump.
- Steenhuisen spoke as Democratic Alliance leader, not government official, cautioning against opposition parties MK Party and EFF gaining executive power.
- The report concluded Ramaphosa had no legal obligation to repudiate political statements made by a coalition partner in a diplomatic setting.
- Political speech by parties in coalition governments is constitutionally protected and does not necessarily amount to executive misconduct.
We cannot have those people sitting in the Union Buildings, making decisions. The day they get into the doors of the Union Buildings in South Africa or control our Parliament, that is what you are going to see.— John Steenhuisen, Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Minister of Agriculture, during remarks at the Oval Office meeting with President Trump about opposition and security.
EWN Apr 14
PP dismisses ethics complaint against Ramaphosa over conduct during 2025 Trump meeting
ewn.co.za/2026/04/14/pp-dismisses-ethics-complaint-against-ramaphosa-over-conduct-during-2025-trump-meeting
Key FactsEthics Complaint Against Ramaphosa Rejected
Apr 14, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: ewn.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: ewn.co.za
- The Public Protector rejected the ethics complaint against President Ramaphosa concerning his conduct during the 2025 Oval Office meeting with US President Trump.
- MK Party's Mzwanele Manyi accused Ramaphosa of failing to counter Minister Steenhuisen’s remarks about the MK Party and EFF.
- After analyzing videos, correspondence, and legal guidelines, it was concluded that Ramaphosa had no legal obligation to rebut political comments made by a coalition partner.
- Parliament’s Ethics Committee also dismissed a complaint against Steenhuisen, citing lack of jurisdiction under the Executive Members’ Act.
We cannot have those people sitting in the Union Buildings, making decisions. We’ve decided to join hands precisely to keep that lot out of government.— John Steenhuisen, DA leader, commenting on MK Party and EFF during the US visit
I don’t want president’s sword over my neck, says Hill-Lewis: Prospective DA leader doesn’t want a cabinet post, but backs Steenhuisen to remain agriculture ...
timeslive.co.za/news/2026-03-28-i-dont-want-presidents-sword-over-my-neck-says-hill-lewis/
Public Protector recuses herself from Xolile George salary probe after ‘romantic relationship’ claims
iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-02-17-public-protector-recuses-herself-from-xolile-george-salary-probe-after-romantic-relationship-claims/
Paid articlePaywall OpinionEDITORIAL | What price will the DA pay?: It is difficult to escape the conclusion that the public falling-out between these two senior DA figures will damage the ...
sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/opinion-and-analysis/opinion/2026-01-17-editorial-what-price-will-the-da-pay/
UPDATE | DA wars: Zille warns Steenhuisen and George to stop public squabbles or be kicked out
news24.com/politics/steenhuisen-cleared-of-abusing-party-credit-card-disrepute-probe-still-coming-20260112-0930
Open war in the DA : Sacked minister Dion George takes Steenhuisen to the public protector
sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-01-10-open-war-in-the-da/
Key FactsEthics Allegations Target Ministers Aucamp and Steenhuisen
Jan 11, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
- A formal complaint by former Minister Dion George has prompted a preliminary review into alleged misconduct by Ministers Willie Aucamp and John Steenhuisen.
- George accuses Aucamp of failing to disclose personal commercial interests, violating the Executive Ethics Code.
- Concerns include policy decisions under Aucamp, such as the removal of Abalone protection at the CITES summit and the expiration of a task team's mandate on captive lion breeding.
- The Public Protector is currently determining jurisdiction before deciding whether to initiate a full investigation.
EWN Jan 02
Public Protector dismisses Steenhuisen's complaint against Ramaphosa: The allegations stemmed from a City Press article claiming that Ramaphosa and his entourage ...
ewn.co.za/2026/01/02/public-protector-dismisses-steenhuisens-complaint-against-ramaphosa
Key FactsInquiry Clears Ramaphosa's Aircraft Catering Costs
Jan 2, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: ewn.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: ewn.co.za
- Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka dismissed allegations against President Ramaphosa filed in 2023.
- Claims originated from a report about a R600,000 expenditure on luxury items aboard the presidential plane.
- Ramaphosa’s delegation included key staff during trips to London and Washington in September 2022.
- The findings confirmed all expenses were legitimate with no misuse of government funds.
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DA infighting escalates as Aucamp reports George to Public Protector for ‘possible abuse of state resources’
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-12-29-da-infighting-escalates-as-aucamp-reportp-reports-george-to-public-protector-for/
Key FactsDA Turmoil Grows Over State Resource Misuse Claims
Dec 30, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dailymaverick.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dailymaverick.co.za
- Minister Willie Aucamp reported his predecessor Dion George to the Public Protector for alleged misuse of state resources.
- The complaint also targets George’s former adviser Shelton Mollentze and personal assistant Traverse le Goff.
- Internal divisions in the DA are intensifying and may undermine party leadership ahead of the 2026 elective congress.
- The Public Protector is assessing the complaint while the party’s federal legal commission has launched its own investigation.
The use of state resources for personal or political purposes is unlawful, and an investigation by the Public Protector will determine whether any such abuse occurred.— Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Willie Aucamp in a statement regarding his complaint to the Public Protector.
'Motive was never to replace SAPS': Gauteng insists AmaPanyaza was a lawful, bold initiative
iol.co.za/news/politics/2025-10-24-motive-was-never-to-replace-saps-gauteng-insists-amapanyaza-was-a-lawful-bold-initiative/
Steenhuisen to farmers: prepare for life without duty-free access to US: Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen says the local agriculture industry must prepare ...
timeslive.co.za/politics/2025-04-03-steenhuisen-to-farmers-prepare-for-life-without-duty-free-access-to-us/
POLL | What do you make of Steenhuisen's confirmation of his luxury blue-light brigade?
timeslive.co.za/politics/2025-01-08-poll--what-do-you-make-of-steenhuisens-confirmation-of-his-luxury-blue-light-brigade/
John Steenhuisen signs up for study at ‘inspirational’ Unisa: DA leader and government of national unity agriculture minister John Steenhuisen is signing up to ...
timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2024-11-01-john-steenhuisen-signs-up-for-study-at-inspirational-unisa/
Key FactsSteenhuisen Enrolls at Inspirational Unisa
Nov 1, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: timeslive.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: timeslive.co.za
- Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has enrolled at Unisa.
- He aims to complete his degree in politics and law, which he started in 1994.
- Steenhuisen praised Unisa's flexibility that allows him to balance work and studies.
- During his visit, he learned about the university's contributions to agriculture and its improved ranking.
'Incompetent and corrupt': EFF slams Steenhuisen's 100 days in GNU: The EFF has criticised agriculture minister John Steenhuisen's first 100 days ...
timeslive.co.za/politics/2024-10-01-incompetent-and-corrupt-eff-slams-steenhuisens-100-days-in-gnu/
Key FactsEFF Critiques Steenhuisen's Incompetence and Corruption
Oct 1, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
- The EFF has criticized Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen for incompetence and corruption during his first 100 days in office.
- Steenhuisen is accused of prioritizing political connections over qualifications, appointing individuals lacking necessary credentials.
- His nominations, including candidates with only matric certificates, insult hardworking South Africans and reflect poor judgment.
- The EFF continues to demand accountability for Steenhuisen's leadership failures and condemns his disregard for governance standards.
ANCYL's Malatji wants Steenhuisen to reverse controversial Cabanac hire: The controversy surrounding the decision by DA leader and agriculture minister John ...
timeslive.co.za/politics/2024-09-03-ancyls-malatji-wants-steenhuisen-to-reverse-controversial-cabanac-hire/
Key FactsMalatji Calls for Steenhuisen to Reconsider Staff Hire
Sep 3, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: timeslive.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: timeslive.co.za
- ANC Youth League President Collen Malatji criticized DA leader John Steenhuisen's hiring of right-wing podcaster Roman Cabanac as an example of unqualified appointments.
- Malatji emphasized that cadre deployment is not exclusive to the ANC and that the DA also appoints unqualified individuals while criticizing the ANC.
- He argued for equal qualification standards for all government officials, regardless of race.
- Malatji noted that the ANC is committed to hiring qualified individuals and that its coalition with the DA will demonstrate its dedication to serving the interests of South Africans.
POLL | Should John Steenhuisen fire Roman Cabanac?: The DA leader and agriculture minister is being accused of cadre deployment.
timeslive.co.za/politics/2024-09-02-poll-should-john-steenhuisen-fire-roman-cabanac/
Paid articlePaywall 'I'm here to uplift black farmers': Steenhuisen: DA leader and newly appointed minister of agriculture says he will be a fighter for all — large ...
timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/news/politics/2024-07-07-im-here-to-uplift-black-farmers-steenhuisen/
Key Facts'Commitment to Black Farmers': Steenhuisen
Jul 7, 2024 · Reading time: ~10 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: timeslive.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: timeslive.co.za
- The newly appointed agriculture minister and DA leader, John Steenhuisen, has reaffirmed his commitment to actively advocate for the advancement of black and emerging farmers in his new domain.
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