Is Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen leaving? 

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has urged caution against speculation about an announcement he is expected to make on Wednesday, saying assumptions should be avoided until the full facts are revealed.

Speculation intensified earlier on Tuesday after the DA issued a notice stating that Steenhuisen would make an announcement of “national importance and in the public interest” in his hometown of Durban.

Step aside

This prompted reports suggesting he may be preparing to step aside ahead of the party’s upcoming leadership contest.

However, John Steenhuisen sought to play down the reports in a post on his X account, dismissing claims that he is about to abandon plans to contest another term as party leader.
Steenhuisen has led the DA since 2019, following the resignation of Mmusi Maimane after the party’s national and provincial election setbacks.

He has since survived two leadership challenges at the party’s Federal Congress, which is held every three years.

While nominations for the next Federal Congress, scheduled for April, have not yet opened, Steenhuisen has until now given no public indication that he would not seek re-election.

This is despite recent tensions within the party, including a public fallout with former party treasurer Dion George, whom Steenhuisen removed as a minister in November last year.

Image: DA!