GNU cabinet shake-up: Dion George out, Willie Aucamp and Alexandra Abrahams step in

DA leader John Steenhuisen has dismissed suggestions that he asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Dion George as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment due to alleged underperformance or external pressures.

George, who has been in Brazil this week attending the world’s biggest climate summit, COP30, officially received the chop last night and has been replaced by the party’s spokesperson, Willie Aucamp.

Ramaphosa, acting on Steenhuisen’s request on Wednesday night, put to bed almost a week of speculation about a mini cabinet reshuffle.

DA executive

Just over 15 months into the Government of National Unity, the DA is making its first changes to its executive line-up of six ministers and six deputy ministers.

Leader John Steenhuisen says there was no malicious intent behind Dion George’s removal.

Steenhuisen said: “Like any organisation, and any government in the world, you assess how things are going, and you obviously try to move people around to make sure you are getting the maximum benefit from everyone.”

Steenhuisen adds that following the axing of former Deputy Trade Minister Andrew Whitfield by President Ramaphosa in June over an unsanctioned overseas trip, he thought George would be a perfect fit.

He said: “Given the importance of the trade relationship, his obvious ties with the U.S., his expertise in economics and finance, he was the DA’s finance spokesperson, I really thought he would do a wonderful job as the Deputy Minister at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.”

With George having turned down the job, Steenhuisen put forward the party’s Alexandra Abrahams instead, who has now been endorsed by the President.

Abrahams had, until now, been serving on Parliament’s Social Development Committee.

Steenhuisen says the new appointments will strengthen the DA’s contribution to the GNU.

Thanking George for his service, Steenhuisen said he looked forward to working with him in other important roles, which he did not specify