In a move that tests the dynamics of South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU), DA leader John Steenhuisen has formally requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Dr. Dion George as the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.
The request, confirmed in a televised analysis, is based on allegations of underperformance by Dr. George. Steenhuisen has reportedly asked that the minister be replaced by the DA’s own spokesperson, Willie Aucamp.
Political analyst Dr. Hlengiwe Ndlovu, who appeared on the broadcast, clarified the constitutional context of the situation. “In constitutional terms, the president has got prerogative, which means it’s exclusive rights,” Dr. Ndlovu stated. However, she added that for the GNU to function effectively, “consultation and accommodation of his GNU partners is absolutely necessary.”
From this perspective, Dr. Ndlovu argued that Steenhuisen is within his rights as a GNU partner to request a change, suggesting the DA may have “allocated the wrong candidate” among the six cabinet positions it was given.
The situation highlights the novel challenges of the multi-party government. Dr. Ndlovu explained that the country must adjust to an era of “shared power” where “everything is negotiated.” While the ultimate announcement of any cabinet change rests with the President, the analyst suggested that “a cabinet reshuffle is on the cards already.”
The question of what constitutes underperformance was also raised. Dr. Ndlovu pointed to the performance contracts that President Ramaphosa said all ministers would sign in 2018. She noted that these contracts have not been made public and that the president and the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation are the entities supposed to provide a minister’s scorecard, not a coalition partner.
When asked if the DA’s internal politics, including an upcoming conference next year, could be influencing the request, Dr. Ndlovu declined to speculate without concrete evidence. “For now, let’s assume that [Steenhuisen] is very sincere that Dion is underperforming and he needs to be removed,” she said.
Both the DA and the Presidency have declined to comment on the matter publicly at this stage. The request places President Ramaphosa in a delicate position, balancing his exclusive constitutional prerogative to appoint and dismiss ministers against the practical necessities of maintaining a stable coalition government.