Hill-Lewis makes two appointments to manage party's presence in GNU

A week on the job as DA leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis is still setting up his office while juggling his ambitions to serve a second term as Cape Town mayor.

Hill-Lewis has made two key appointments to manage the party’s presence in national government, since he doesn’t plan to join the executive himself.

By putting Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber in charge of the DA’s Cabinet members, Hill-Lewis said he doesn’t view the move as outsourcing his power as the party’s federal leader.

With six ministerial posts, unlike his predecessor, Hill-Lewis will be removed from the inner workings of Cabinet.

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He said Schreiber will now be his “guy on the field” holding the party line and keeping a watchful eye over the party’s performance in government.

"I will never expect anyone to cross any ethical or legal boundaries. What is clear is, this is our strategic mandate, this is what we expect of our ministers."

The party has also witnessed the return of its former CEO, Ryan Coetzee, to manage the ministerial caucus, which also comprises six deputy ministers.

"The day-to-day tactical calls, I actually want to leave it to them under Leon Schreiber’s guidance on the field, because for precisely that reason, I can’t get involved."

With Hill-Lewis also not planning a return to Parliament, the party’s caucus will have to elect a leader to manage the party’s presence in the house.

That election is expected on 7 May.