SA’s Steenhuisen moved in DA ministerial reshuffle
South Africa's former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has been removed as the country's minister of agriculture and reassigned as deputy minister of trade, industry and competition in a shake-up of the party’s ministerial team, eNCA reports.
The changes were announced on Wednesday by DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis, who requested that President Cyril Ramaphosa implement the changes within the party’s GNU contingent. Willie Aucamp will replace Steenhuisen as minister of agriculture.
Hill-Lewis said the reshuffle was aimed at strengthening the DA’s contribution to government and improving accountability and performance in public office. He said Aucamp’s immediate priority would be to address the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease crisis and restore confidence in the agricultural sector.
Reuters reports that the move comes months after Steenhuisen stepped down as DA leader, saying his mission of leading the party into national government had been accomplished. He had headed the DA since 2019 and played a key role in bringing the party into the GNU following the 2024 general election.
According to a Mail & Guardian report, Steenhuisen’s tenure as agriculture minister came under increasing scrutiny amid criticism of the government’s handling of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease. Reports earlier this year indicated growing pressure within the DA for changes to the agriculture portfolio.
The reshuffle also sees David Maynier become minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment, while Alexandra Abrahams moves to the energy portfolio. Yusuf Cassim and Jack Bloom have been appointed deputy ministers in higher education and water and sanitation, respectively.
The changes are expected to take effect once approved by President Ramaphosa.
