MANDY WIENER | Game of Thrones can damage DA in Damascus year

In a local government election year, a DA already in government and demonstrating its potential to deliver key services, stands on the cusp of an opportunity to gain control of major metros. Voters vote for a party that delivers, and the DA argues that it has a proven track record in the municipalities where it governs.

But the Game of Thrones currently playing out in the party could scupper its chances as voters could be put off by the party’s infighting.

The internal war is centred around party leader John Steenhuisen and finance committee chair Dion George.

It has been alleged that George was removed from his Cabinet position under questionable circumstances. The Public Protector is now investigating.

Steenhuisen has been cleared of misappropriating party funds, an allegation made by George shortly after he was fired as Minister.

This week, it was announced that a preliminary investigation led by the Chairperson of the Federal Legal Commission, Glynnis Breytenbach, had cleared Steenhuisen.

But both men still face a disciplinary inquiry into whether they breached the party's federal constitution by bringing the party into disrepute.

Spectacularly, George quit the DA live on television on eNCA on Thursday.

In his statement, George alleges that Steenhuisen abused donor money, incurred irregular expenditure, and the party whitewashed it.

“The DA deserves a leader of the highest calibre. The DA’s Federal Legal Commission (FLC) whitewash of Steenhuisen’s credit card misuse was the final straw for me. The FLC report submitted this week reflects what the party has become under failed leadership,” said George.

“Steenhuisen’s personal financial vulnerability leaves the DA with a leader who cannot challenge the ANC in the GNU, who is willing to throw countless loyal hard working DA leaders like me to the wolves when they stand up for DA members and South Africa’s interests and who cannot exit the GNU, under any circumstances, given that he is completely financially compromised.”

Former DA leader Tony Leon, in an interview on Cape Talk on Monday, described the infighting as a ‘bad look’.

"Tony Blair said of in-fighting, the minute you start looking inwards, you lose because you stop speaking to the voters. Voters punish parties who appear more interested in themselves than in governing."

RELATED: Tony Leon warns DA infighting raises questions about party unity and leadership

Insiders within the party describe it as Game of Thrones because of the multitude of factions or ‘houses’ battling for power within the organisation. It’s suggested that this could be an intentional strategy to ensure no prominent centre of power emerges.

In three months, the DA will hold its elective congress. DA leadership serves a three-year term, and Steenhuisen is expected to contest to remain as party leader.

His main contender, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, has not announced his candidature and is reportedly reluctant to do so because of his friendship with Steenhuisen.

However, if Steenhuisen is found guilty on disciplinary charges and must step down as party leader, various permutations could arise.

In the interim until April, DA federal chairperson Dr Ivan Meyer would step in as acting leader, and that may not be palatable to some.

If Steenhuisen is suspended and cannot contest for the leadership role, it may open the door for other challenges from various clusters to enter the battle. This could be even more damaging to the party, but it could provide a much-needed leadership contestation.

Solly Malatsi, Siviwe Gwarube, Dean McPherson, and Matt Cuthbert’s names have all been mentioned.

Helen Zille, chairperson of the federal council of the DA, has focused her energy on campaigning for Joburg Mayor, but her influence should never be discounted.

The DA could be its own worst enemy going into this local election year. It needs to find itself, decide whether it is a party in opposition or one in government. One of George’s criticisms of Steenhuisen is that he is beholden to President Cyril Ramaphosa, and the DA has lost its way in the GNU on economic and foreign policy.

It also needs to ensure that voters don’t become disillusioned with the leadership of the party and internal squabbles at a time when they are looking for strong leaders to deliver basic services in municipalities.