DA Rocked By Allegations Of Fund Misuse To Boost Steenhuisen
The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s main opposition party, is facing a serious crisis as accusations emerge of misappropriating party funds to promote its leader, John Steenhuisen.
The allegations were made by Tsepo Mhlongo, a former DA member of parliament who was expelled from the party last month for misconduct. Mhlongo claimed that the party spent millions of rands on Steenhuisen’s personal branding and image consulting, while neglecting other candidates and constituencies.
Mhlongo also alleged that Steenhuisen was involved in irregularities in the party’s internal elections, which he won in November 2020. He said that Steenhuisen used his influence to manipulate the voting process and secure his victory over his rival, Mbali Ntuli, a former DA youth leader.
Ntuli, who is still a member of the party, confirmed Mhlongo’s claims and said that she was sidelined and undermined by Steenhuisen and his allies during the campaign. She said that the party’s leadership was not transparent and accountable, and that it failed to uphold the DA’s values of diversity and democracy.
The DA has denied the allegations and said that they were part of a smear campaign by disgruntled former members who wanted to tarnish the party’s reputation and credibility. The party said that it had followed all the rules and regulations in its internal elections, and that it had spent its funds wisely and responsibly.
The party also said that it was confident in Steenhuisen’s leadership and that he had the support of the majority of the party’s members and supporters. The party said that Steenhuisen had a clear vision and strategy to grow the DA and challenge the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in the next national elections in 2024.
The controversy comes at a time when the DA is trying to recover from its poor performance in the 2023 local government elections, where it lost some of its key municipalities and saw its national vote share drop to 21%. The party also faced internal divisions and defections, as some of its prominent members left to join other parties or form new ones.
The DA is the largest and most established opposition party in South Africa, and has been seen as a potential alternative to the ANC, which has been in power since 1994. The DA has been praised for its good governance and anti-corruption stance, but has also been criticised for its lack of diversity and appeal among black voters, who make up the majority of the population.
The allegations of fund misuse and election fraud could further damage the DA’s image and credibility, and erode its support base. The party could also face legal challenges and investigations from the electoral commission and other authorities. The party will have to deal with the crisis swiftly and decisively, or risk losing its relevance and influence in South Africa’s political landscape.