What triggered Powell's fall

Politicians are fond of saying: "If you expect loyalty, get a dog." To which journalists might reply: "If you expect basic human decency from a politician, get a grip."

- William Saunderson-Meyer

Last week, the DA allowed the ANC to hound from office its own foreign policy lead. Emma Powell resigned the position after a protracted campaign of abuse and threats from the ANC which mobilised the state security apparatus and pliant media against her.

Astoundingly, the DA parliamentary leadership uttered not a public word of rebuke that Powell felt so beleaguered by the campaign against her by their government of national unity partner that she threw in the towel.

The biggest challenge for the DA in its partnership with the ANC was always going to be retaining its political integrity. It had to balance its place holder role - keeping at bay an alternative ANC coalition with the hard left - while continuing to challenge a corrupt and incompetent government. John Steenhuisen has failed to manage this tension well.