DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to reshuffle the party’s ministers and deputies in the government of national unity.
Hill-Lewis announced the proposed changes on Wednesday. They include moving John Steenhuisen from agriculture minister to deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. Willie Aucamp would take the agriculture post, while David Maynier would move to forestry, fisheries and the environment.
Additional shifts name Alexandra Abrahams as deputy minister of electricity and energy, Yusuf Cassim as deputy minister of higher education and training, and Jack Bloom as deputy minister of water and sanitation.
Hill-Lewis said the changes follow an assessment of the DA team and aim to strengthen the party’s contribution to government. He linked the request to accountability and performance standards.
The moves come after months of criticism over Steenhuisen’s handling of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, including complaints from farmers and reports about his chief of staff.
