Watch – Why did the DA decide to fire its Environment Minister Dion George?:
When John Steenhuisen abruptly removed Environment Minister Dion George and replaced ...
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-28-watch-why-did-the-da-decide-to-fire-its-environment-minister-dion-george/
/file/attachments/2985/DionGeorge3_269188.jpg)
Story Details
| Last Updated | |
| Total Articles | 1 |
Main Topics
cabinet position responsible for environmental conservation
centrist-liberal political party in South Africa formed in 2000
Similar to This
Previous
Tony Leon's silence fuels Resolve scandal as squeaky clean DA image ripped apart: Under fire from all sides, Tony Leon's lobbying firm has zipped its lips.
iol.co.za/news/2026-07-11-tony-leons-silence-fuels-resolve-scandal-as-squeaky-clean-da-image-ripped-apart/
Key FactsAffidavit alleges Leon sought PR work from metros
Jul 5, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za
- A former senior Tshwane employee alleges in an affidavit that Leon sought municipal tenders in 2017.
- Mmusi Maimane says Leon asked Johannesburg’s then-mayor Herman Mashaba in 2016 to support a business relationship; Mashaba declined.
- Leon denies wrongdoing, saying the meeting with Msimanga produced no contracts for Resolve Communications.
- Cape Town said it had since ended its relationship with Resolve Communications, which served the city during the 2018 drought.
Dion George hits out at Steenhuisen, calls him ‘financially vulnerable’: Ex-DA finance chair alleges cover-up in party’s credit card controversy
sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-01-16-dion-george-hits-out-at-steenhuisen-calls-him-financially-vulnerable/
MK Party demands Hawks probe DA Ministers over lion bone trade allegations: Amid allegations of unethical conduct, the MK Party calls on the Hawks to probe DA ...
iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-01-16-mk-party-demands-hawks-probe-da-ministers-over-lion-bone-trade-allegations/
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.
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/
/file/attachments/orphans/tori-aucamp-complain_843154.jpg)
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.
DA leaders accused of using state resources amid internal strife: Amid escalating tensions, the DA faces accusations of hypocrisy as its leaders are implicated ...
iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2025-12-29-da-leaders-accused-of-using-state-resources-amid-internal-strife/
The questions the DA and Steenhuisen won’t answer over the Dion George ministerial saga
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-12-03-the-questions-the-da-and-steenhuisen-wonnhuisen-wont-answer-over-the-dion-george/
Watch – Big-spending DA Leader John Steenhuisen faces scrutiny: In the middle of the public spat over John Steenhuisen’s decision to drop Dion George as minister ...
dailymaverick.co.za/article/watch-bigspending-da-leader-john-steenhuisen-faces-scrutiny/
Pressure mounts for DA leader to justify firing of Environment Minister Dion George
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-23-pressure-mounts-for-da-leader-to-justifytify-firing-of-environment-minister-dion-1/
Axed Environment Minister Dion George suing for millions for defamation: Dion George has broken his silence with a statement expressing the belief that he was ...
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-21-axed-environment-minister-dion-george-suing-for-millions-for-defamation/
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ED_512640.jpg)
Steenhuisen’s finances under scrutiny as fallout over axed Dion George continues: DA leader John Steenhuisen finds himself in hot water over financial woes and a ...
dailymaverick.co.za/article/big-spending-steenhuisen-faces-scrutiny-as-da-fallout-over-axed-dion-george-continues/
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ED_400443.jpg)
Key FactsAgriculture Minister Faces Financial and Security Concerns
Nov 20, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
- John Steenhuisen, Agriculture Minister and DA leader, has a default judgment for almost R150,000 in unpaid credit card debt.
- He struggles with personal financial management despite earning over R2.6 million annually as a minister.
- Experts warn that financial vulnerabilities in ministers can pose national security risks by increasing susceptibility to undue influence.
- The president may need to consider Steenhuisen’s removal due to risks linked to his financial difficulties and security clearance.
A minister having financial problems raises national security issues.— Goodenough Mashego, an independent political analyst, expresses concerns about the security implications of ministers facing financial difficulties.
The dramatic downfall of ‘Dion Abroad’: The axed environment minister is said to have taken frequent international trips and bullied departmental officials ...
timeslive.co.za/politics/2025-11-15-st1116-the-dramatic-downfall-of-dion-abroad/
Steenhuisen’s finances under scrutiny as fallout over axed Dion George continues: In the aftermath of Dion George’s controversial axing as environment minister ...
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-18-big-spending-steenhuisen-faces-scrutiny-as-da-fallout-over-axed-dion-george-continues/
Environment Minister Dion George axed, despite ‘doing my job without fear, favour or prejudice’
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-12-environment-minister-dion-george-axed-despite-doing-my-job-without-fear-favour-or-prejudice/
Key FactsControversial Environment Minister Dion George Removed
Nov 13, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dailymaverick.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dailymaverick.co.za
- President Ramaphosa dismissed Dion George from his role as Environment Minister and appointed Willie Aucamp as his successor.
- George was leading South Africa’s delegation at COP30 and co-chairing the global Adaptation Committee.
- His removal followed disputes over his strict policies against captive lion breeding and bone exports.
- The move sparked outrage among conservationists who criticize Aucamp's close ties to hunting and breeding industries.
I’m doing my job without fear, favour or prejudice.— Dion George, the Environment Minister, reiterating his commitment to his role amidst political turmoil.
Dion George fired: Ramaphosa appoints Willie Aucamp as environment minister: DA leader John Steenhuisen insists that George’s removal is ‘not due to external ...
mg.co.za/the-green-guardian/2025-11-13-dion-george-fired-ramaphosa-appoints-willie-aucamp-as-environment-minister/
Key FactsNew Leadership Boosts South Africa’s Environmental Ministry
Nov 13, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: mg.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: mg.co.za
- President Ramaphosa dismissed Dion George and appointed Willie Aucamp as the new Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
- Alexandra Abrahams was named deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, replacing Andrew Whitfield.
- DA leader John Steenhuisen clarified that George’s removal was not influenced by external pressures.
- The DA aims to strengthen government roles with capable members to advance economic reforms and improve governance.
The simple truth is that it is not.— John Steenhuisen, the DA leader, addressing speculation surrounding Dion George's departure.
Civil society groups urge Ramaphosa to block DA plan to replace environment minister
mg.co.za/the-green-guardian/2025-11-12-civil-society-groups-urge-ramaphosa-to-block-da-plan-to-replace-environment-minister/
OpinionSteenhuisen’s lion bone gambit — firing the one minister who finally took on the wildlife trade
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-09-steenhuisens-lion-bone-gambit-firing-the-one-minister-who-finally-took-on-the-wildlife-trade/
South Africa joins 134 nations in new push for High Seas protection treaty: Environment Minister Dion George has signed the High Seas Treaty, but translating ...
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-10-sa-joins-134-nations-in-new-push-for-high-seas-protection-treaty/
Next