DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove John Steenhuisen from his role as Minister of Agriculture.
The move forms part of a proposed reshuffle of the DA’s positions in the Government of National Unity.
Under the proposal, Steenhuisen would be moved to the role of Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Willie Aucamp, who currently serves as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, is expected to take over the agriculture portfolio.
The changes still need approval from Ramaphosa before they can take effect.
Steenhuisen Faces Political Blow
Steenhuisen’s possible demotion marks a major political shift inside the DA.
He led the party from 2019 until April 2026, when Hill-Lewis succeeded him as federal leader.
Steenhuisen was appointed agriculture minister in July 2024 after the DA entered national government through the GNU.
At the time, his appointment was seen as a major moment for the party, which had moved from opposition benches into national executive power.
But his time in the agriculture portfolio has faced pressure, especially over the handling of South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease crisis.
Foot-And-Mouth Crisis Adds Pressure
The agriculture sector has been dealing with serious foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks.
Farmers and agricultural groups have criticised the pace and structure of the response.
A recent court ruling also went against Steenhuisen on the issue of private vaccine rollouts by farmers and veterinarians.
The ruling confirmed that farmers may procure and administer foot-and-mouth disease vaccines without state permission.
This added further pressure on the department at a time when disease control remains crucial for food security, exports and rural jobs.
Aucamp Set for Bigger Role
Aucamp is viewed as a key figure in the proposed shake-up.
He has a farming background, which may help the DA rebuild trust with parts of the agricultural sector.
Hill-Lewis has said the renewed team is aimed at strengthening the DA’s contribution to government and delivering more clearly on the mandate it received from voters.
For now, the final decision sits with Ramaphosa.
If approved, the reshuffle would be one of Hill-Lewis’s biggest moves since taking over the DA leadership.
I’m a writer, editor and software developer at Newsroom ZA.
I build things, break them (on purpose), then turn the chaos into clean, readable stories. You’ll usually find me bouncing between breaking news, politics and entertainment.