John Steenhuisen expected to announce withdrawal from DA leadership race

In a surprising move, it has been reported that DA federal leader John Steenhuisen is set to announce that he will not be available to contest in the party’s leadership race. 

He had previously indicated his availability for a third term as federal leader.

The DA is set to hold its national federal congress in April, where Steenhuisen was expected to contest against Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, and Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi. 

According to reports, it is expected that Steenhuisen will make the announcement at a press conference in Durban on Wednesday. It has been said that Steenhuisen will address matters “of national importance and public interest” at the press conference.

The move comes after Steenhuisen had received strong backing from several DA leaders in his home province, KwaZulu-Natal. The Mercury reported last month the leaders had praised Steenhuisen's leadership saying he had led the DA into government in the Government of National Unity for the first time in the party's history.

Steenhuisen, however, has been facing opposition amid his public falling out with former Environment Minister and former DA federal finance chairperson Dion George.

Steenhuisen had asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove George as minister and to replace him with Willie Aucamp.

George then made allegations of financial wrongdoing against Steenhuisen and expressed concern about the direction of the DA, alleging that the party had been captured. He resigned from the party.

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