DA war deepens as Zille talks about party disputes

CHAIRPERSON of the DA's Federal Executive, Helen Zille, has reprimanded party members for publicly airing their grievances with the media in an apparent response the fallout from DA Leader John Steenhuisen asking President Cyril Ramaphosa to axe Dion George as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

- THEOLIN TEMBO

The public spat ensued follows reports that George lost his ministerial post after he refused a request by Steenhuisen, the DA leader, to be demoted to a deputy ministerial post.

Steenhuisen purportedly wanted George to serve as deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. George's axing is believed to be due to not only poor performance but also unprofessional behaviour and his international trips.

Steenhuisen then had Willie Aucamp, one of the DA's two national spokespeople, appointed as the new minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment.