JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — ActionSA is urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to initiate an immediate investigation into explosive lobbying allegations surrounding Tony Leon’s public relations firm, Resolve Communications. The demand follows revelations by former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen, who claimed the firm orchestrated private meetings between DA ministers and corporate clients—most notably Starlink—to sway public policy within the Government of National Unity (GNU).
At the heart of the controversy are claims that Resolve Communications leveraged its political access to pressure Solly Malatsi, the DA’s Minister of Communications, regarding the regulatory environment for Starlink. Steenhuisen disclosed that he was personally summoned to meet with Starlink representatives who expressed frustration over the sluggish pace of policy reforms. ActionSA Chairperson Michael Beaumont argues that this represents a profound conflict of interest, given Leon’s dual role as a powerful DA insider who helped negotiate the GNU and secure the very communications portfolio now being lobbied on behalf of private clients.
Beaumont suggested this is not an isolated event but part of a longstanding pattern of targeting DA officials. He recounted a 2019 incident where Leon requested a private dinner with then-Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba under the pretense of discussing internal party affairs. Instead, the meeting was allegedly used to pitch a Resolve Communications client seeking municipal tenders. Mashaba abruptly ended the discussion, yet the firm’s CEO later emailed Beaumont, then Mashaba’s chief of staff, praising the “wonderful meeting” and pushing to move forward with the business proposal.
In response to the mounting scrutiny, Leon and his firm have threatened defamation lawsuits, framing their activities as standard, transparent corporate lobbying practiced globally. However, Beaumont dismissed this defense, pointing out that Resolve Communications cannot claim to be a mere corporate citizen while its leader sits on the DA committees that determine the party’s leadership and future. Furthermore, during a recent broadcast interview, the firm’s CEO defended their continued partnership with Starlink, stating they would not sever ties with Elon Musk despite his propagation of what many consider damaging misinformation about South Africa.
The Starlink connection introduces significant national security concerns, according to ActionSA. Beaumont highlighted the irony that Leon was reportedly nominated to serve as South Africa’s ambassador to Washington—a role intended to counter the “white genocide” narrative frequently amplified by Musk. Granting a company owned by Musk access to South Africa’s critical low-orbit satellite and broadband infrastructure, while simultaneously lobbying the government on its behalf, creates a dangerous paradox that prioritizes corporate financial interests over national security.
Despite bringing these issues to light, ActionSA does not view Steenhuisen as a pristine whistleblower. Beaumont questioned the former leader’s sudden moral outrage, suggesting the revelations only emerged after Steenhuisen was sidelined by the new DA leadership and lost his position as Minister of Agriculture. Furthermore, Beaumont asked why Steenhuisen initially participated in these lobbying processes and acquiesced to the pressure being applied to Malatsi, arguing that the truth was only forced into the public domain against the firm’s will.
Acknowledging that waiting for a decisive response from the President’s office could take time, ActionSA is pursuing multiple avenues of accountability. Beaumont confirmed he is filing a formal grievance with the Public Protector and has submitted parliamentary questions to the implicated ministers. The party is also collaborating with the communications portfolio committee to summon the minister for questioning.
While Resolve Communications has declined media interview requests, Beaumont stated that ActionSA would welcome a defamation lawsuit. He noted that a court battle would provide a legal platform to subpoena ministers and corporate clients under oath, ultimately exposing the full extent of the backroom dealings to the South African public.