Steenhuisen expected to bow out of DA’s leadership race

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen is expected to bow out of the party’s leadership race ahead of its national elective congress in April.

The party issued a media alert on Tuesday that Steenhuisen will make an announcement on matters of national importance in his hometown of Durban on Wednesday.

Sources have indicated to EWN that while Steenhuisen may be giving up on the expectation that he will stand for a third term as party leader, it's understood he’s not likely to quit his ministerial role just yet.

Just 10 days ago, Steenhuisen gave his strongest indications yet that he was not about to hand over the party reins without a challenge when he addressed the Parliamentary Gallery Association in Cape Town.

With the party only expected to officially open the nominations process for party leader at the end of February, Steenhuisen said, at the time, it would be improper to openly declare his intentions.

He now appears to have had second thoughts amid turmoil within the party that has put him under investigation by the DA's Federal Legal Commission.

Although cleared of allegations made by the party’s former finance chairperson, Dion George, that Steenhuisen allegedly abused party funds for personal use, he’s still facing disciplinary action for bringing the party into disrepute over this public fallout.

Should Steenhuisen follow through with the announcement on Wednesday, it could pave the way for Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to throw his hat in the ring.

Hill-Lewis has repeatedly said he would not vie for leadership if he had to compete against Steenhuisen.