Executive Summary:
* Personal Debt Judgment: A default judgment for roughly R150,000 in unpaid personal credit card debt was issued against John Steenhuisen in May 2025.
* Party Card Revoked: The DA’s federal finance committee reportedly confiscated his party credit card earlier in 2025 due to “unreconciled” expenses, including allegations of personal use for Uber Eats and household items.
* Zero Assets Declared: Steenhuisen’s 2025 parliamentary declaration revealed he owns no property, shares, or income-generating assets despite his high ministerial salary.
* Internal War: The scandal has triggered a public fallout with former DA finance chair Dion George, leading to mutual recriminations and a probe by the party’s Federal Legal Commission.
The Unfolding Scandal: Debt, Defaults, and DA Infighting
John Steenhuisen, the leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, finds himself at the center of a storm that blends personal financial mismanagement with high-stakes political warfare. What began as whispers of “financial disarray” has erupted into a public crisis following revelations of unpaid debts and the revocation of his party credit card.
1. The R150,000 Default Judgment
In May 2025, the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court granted a default judgment against Steenhuisen for unpaid personal credit card debt totaling approximately R150,000.
* The implication: A default judgment typically occurs when a debtor fails to respond to a summons or pay a debt despite legal demands.
* Public reaction: This has raised serious questions about how a Cabinet Minister earning over R2.6 million annually could allow a relatively manageable sum (for his income bracket) to reach the point of a court judgment. When pressed by the media, Steenhuisen did not dispute the judgment’s existence.
2. The Party Credit Card Saga
Perhaps more damaging than his personal debt is the revelation regarding his DA party credit card. Reports indicate the card was confiscated by the DA’s federal finance committee earlier in 2025.
* The official reason: The account “could not be reconciled.”
* The allegations: Dion George, the former DA Federal Finance Chair (and recently fired Environment Minister), alleged that the card was used for non-party expenses, including family takeaway orders via Uber Eats and other household costs.
* Steenhuisen’s defense: Steenhuisen initially claimed he returned the card voluntarily to switch to a reimbursement system. However, George publicly contradicted this, stating he actively removed the card to protect party funds.
3. The “Zero Assets” Declaration
Scrutiny of the 2025 Register of Members’ Interests added fuel to the fire. Steenhuisen declared zero assets:
* No residential property.
* No land.
* No shares or investments.
* Why it matters: Analysts have flagged this as highly unusual for a career politician of his tenure and age. It paints a picture of a leader with significant liquidity issues, fueling arguments by political opponents that he is a “security risk” susceptible to financial pressure or bribery.
4. The Dion George Fallout
The financial scandal is inextricably linked to the firing of Dion George as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment in November 2025.
* The retaliation theory: Insiders speculate that Steenhuisen pushed for George’s removal from Cabinet as retaliation for George’s strict handling of the credit card issue.
* The counter-claim: Steenhuisen maintains the firing was performance-based.
* Legal action: The dispute has become so toxic that the DA’s Federal Executive had to intervene on November 24, 2025, referring the matter to the Federal Legal Commission and issuing a “gag order” to stop both men from attacking each other in the press.
Timeline of Key Events
* May 2025:
* A default judgment is granted against John Steenhuisen in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court for ~R150,000 in unpaid personal credit card debt.
* Mid-2025 (Unspecified):
* Dion George (then DA Federal Finance Chair) confiscates Steenhuisen’s party credit card due to “unreconciled” expenses.
* November 12, 2025:
* Steenhuisen announces a Cabinet reshuffle, requesting President Ramaphosa to fire Dion George as Environment Minister.
* November 18, 2025:
* Daily Maverick publishes an exposé revealing the default judgment and the removal of the party credit card.
* November 20–21, 2025:
* Dion George publicly alleges the credit card was used for personal Uber Eats orders.
* ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula calls for lifestyle audits, labeling Steenhuisen’s spending “careless.”
* November 24, 2025:
* The DA Federal Executive intervenes, referring the Steenhuisen-George dispute to the Federal Legal Commission for investigation.
