The leader of the second biggest party in South Africa’s governing coalition has asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to sack his predecessor, one of the country’s best-known politicians.
Geordin Hill-Lewis wants the long-time leader of the Democratic Alliance’s (DA), John Steenhuisen, replaced as agriculture minister as he proposed sweeping changes to the party’s representation within the government.
Hill-Lewis took over the reins from Steenhuisen in April.
The DA has six posts in Ramaphosa’s cabinet, while several members serve as deputy ministers, after no party secured a parliamentary majority in the 2024 general elections.
Ramaphosa is yet to comment on the request but he is unlikely to reject it.
Hill-Lewis did not say why he wants this change, but it is widely believed to relate to Steenhuisen’s handling of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in South Africa, which devastated the country’s livestock industry.
He has faced intense criticism from farmers over his failure to do more to contain the outbreak.
In a statement, Hill-Lewis said he wanted Willie Aucamp to become agriculture minister with an “immediate mandate… to resolve on-going legal proceedings relating” to the outbreak.
Steenhuisen also faced a financial scandal, which contributed to his decision not to stand for re-election as party leader.
He has been nominated as deputy minister for trade and industry – a major demotion.
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