George out, Aucamp in? Call for DA's minister to be replaced

DA leader John Steenhuisen has requested that Dion George be removed from his position as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and replaced by the party's national spokesperson, Willie Aucamp.

There are rumblings that this might be an attempt to return the control of the portfolio to pro-hunting interests.

ALSO READ: 'Removal of Minister George could mark reversal of recent conservation gains'

Political analyst Professor Dirk Kotze said it's difficult to say what the actual reasoning behind the move is.

"Some of them are saying that he didn't perform well – now that can mean many things... in general I think one of the controversies that he's almost automatically involved in is that of environmental impact studies over a wide spectrum of industries... I think there's a lot of pressure coming from those industries, like the mining and game farming, onto the DA."

Kotze also pointed out that the next DA Federal Congress is scheduled for April 2026, where the party will elect their top leadership structure, as well as the upcoming local government elections.

"So there's lots of competitive processes, or preparation for that, happening in the DA."

To listen to Kotze in conversation with CapeTalk & 702's Mandy Wiener, click below: