PRETORIA, Gauteng – The Government of National Unity (GNU) is navigating a severe political storm as the Democratic Alliance (DA) faces mounting allegations of undue influence involving party leader John Steenhuisen, former leader Tony Leon, and the lobbying firm Resolve Communications. Critics are questioning whether private interests have secured improper access to the executive, prompting intense calls for transparency and accountability at the highest levels of government.
The controversy has ignited a fierce debate over the boundaries between legitimate public affairs work and state capture, with opposition and governing parties alike demanding rigorous oversight. While the DA has previously defended the activities as standard lobbying, the sheer scale of the allegations has forced the issue into the national spotlight, leading to formal investigations and widespread political backlash.
ActionSA Demands Executive Accountability
ActionSA has taken the lead in initiating formal oversight mechanisms, launching a multi-pronged approach to ensure state transparency. Lerato Ngobeni, spokesperson for ActionSA, confirmed that the party has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly, the President, and the chairpersons of all parliamentary portfolio committees that oversee departments led by DA ministers.
Ngobeni emphasized that the core of the issue lies in the strict adherence to the executive ethics code, both collectively and individually, by all members of the cabinet. She drew a sharp distinction between standard lobbying and undue influence, warning the public against allowing a scenario akin to “Saxon World 2.0” to take root.
“We are not interested in GNU politics; we are interested in transparency in the state,” Ngobeni stated. She noted that Tony Leon’s influence within the party cannot be understated, referencing his pivotal role in advancing the narrative for the DA’s new leadership wave. ActionSA is demanding comprehensive answers from the presidency, parliament, and the Public Protector to uncover the truth on behalf of the South African people.
ANC Raises Western Cape Corruption Concerns
The African National Congress (ANC) has also escalated its response, arguing that no individual is above scrutiny. ANC Member of Parliament Cameron Dugmore criticized the defensive posture of Tony Leon and highlighted the former leader’s deep involvement in the GNU negotiations and policy lobbying. Dugmore also pointed out that one of Resolve Communications’ notable clients is Elon Musk’s Starlink.
To ensure a thorough investigation, the ANC has approached both the Public Protector and the Public Service Commission. Dugmore expanded the scope of the allegations to include the Western Cape provincial government, alleging a history of nepotism and irregularities. He claimed that during the Western Cape “Day Zero” drought crisis, a DA deployee in the City of Cape Town allegedly contracted a company to run the campaign, which then subcontracted Resolve Communications.
Furthermore, Dugmore referenced a letter written by Cusella, the chairperson of digital communications, to the relevant minister demanding full disclosure of meetings involving Dion George and John Steenhuisen. Dugmore also leveled broader corruption allegations at the DA’s stronghold in the Western Cape, citing a “cesspool of corruption” involving property developers. He specifically mentioned former Premier Helen Zille’s alleged dismissal of a Promotion of Access to Information (PAIA) application regarding DA deployees in local municipalities.
Dugmore further alleged that a local mayor was caught on tape instructing residents to lie about their incomes to secure housing, and highlighted a DA member in the George municipality whose son allegedly benefited from an Old Mutual investment. “We have a responsibility to clean up and expose the rot without fear or favor,” Dugmore asserted.
Political Analyst Warns of Strategic Collapse
Political analyst Professor Siphamandla Zondi argues that the timing of the controversy is particularly devastating for the DA, compounding a series of recent political and legal setbacks. The party recently lost its clean audit status in the City of Cape Town and suffered a major defeat in a landmark Constitutional Court ruling regarding spatial planning to undo apartheid structures.
According to Zondi, these allegations strike at the very foundation of the DA’s 18-year political strategy, which has heavily relied on a messaging platform of efficiency, clean governance, and attacking the ANC’s cadre deployment. “The last thing it wants is to find itself embroiled in a credible set of information that suggests it may be facilitating a potentially corrupt relationship between itself in government and companies associated with its leaders,” Zondi explained.
Zondi warned that the DA’s slow, muted, and perceived arrogant response is only accelerating a broader decline in public trust toward South Africa’s political institutions. He noted that lobbying historically carries the hallmarks of corruption when it provides special access to certain groups, subverting established rules. As the second-largest party in the GNU, Zondi stressed that the DA has a massive responsibility to answer these questions truthfully, warning that a failure to come clean will haunt the party well into the next election cycle.
The Democratic Alliance was invited to participate in a broadcast discussion to address these escalating allegations but declined the interview. As parliamentary and independent investigations potentially unfold, the pressure remains on the party’s leadership to clarify the boundaries between legitimate lobbying and the improper exercise of state influence.