A party at war with itself

The DA’s reputation for fiscal discipline is under strain.

- Mandla Mthembu

This after finance committee chair Dion George accused party leader John Steenhuisen of charging Uber Eats to the DA's credit card while owing R150 000 on his personal one.What might seem like a minor expense has escalated into a test of leadership, accountability and trust at a time when the party can least afford internal scandal.

This is not about a few burgers and fries. It is about whether the DA's leader has been feasting on party resources while preaching fiscal discipline to the nation. A man who lectures government about waste now looks like he couldn't resist a midnight snack at the party’s expense.

Helen Zille, the DA’s federal council chair, has referred the matter to the federal legal commission. She has also ordered the party leaders to stop arguing through the media.

But the smell of fast food wafts far beyond the DA's blue walls. The public already knows Steen-huisen and George are bitter rivals. Although George has accused Steenhuisen of financial misconduct, the scandal does not end there.