DA's Steenhuisen says Cabanac matter now sitting with HR in agriculture ministry

JOHANNESBURG - Democratic Alliance leader and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says Roman Cabanac’s future as chief of staff is now sitting with his department’s human resources division.

The controversial podcaster is accused of posting divisive, race-baiting, and homophobic content online and his recent appointment was met with a public backlash.

Earlier this month, Steenhuisen said that he had asked Cabanac to resign.

But according to recent reports, he’s now refusing.

READ: Steenhuisen says it was wrong to appoint Roman Cabanac

Speaking at the Cape Town Press Club earlier this month, Steenhuisen said the scandal around Cabanac distracted the work of his ministry and the government.

Against this backdrop, Steenhusien said he had asked Cabanac to consider stepping down, adding that “a human resource discussion” is under way.

According to a Daily Maverick report published on Monday, Cabanac is digging in his heels and refusing.

In response to the report through his party’s spokesperson, Charity McCord, Steenhuisen has said that he’s now referred the matter to the department’s Human Resources division and is waiting for that process to conclude.