The DA has lost its moral high ground': Analyst questions party's integrity amid business influence allegations

A political analyst questioned the Democratic Alliance’s integrity after allegations that business interests pressured party ministers to change policy. Tony Leon, chair of Resolve Communications and a former DA leader, is accused of lobbying ministers, though the article notes that legal accountability can be limited if such influence follows existing rules. Zakhele Ndlovu of the University of KwaZulu-Natal said the DA has lost its “moral high ground” on clean governance and transparency, citing revelations from former DA leader John Steenhuisen in a News24 interview. Steenhuisen alleged that DA ministers in South Africa’s Government of National Unity faced pressure from specific business interests, including himself as former Agriculture minister and officials such as Solly Malatsi and current Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp. Steenhuisen named Resolve Communications as acting for clients including Elon Musk’s Starlink and REDISA, though it is unclear whether either is a party funder listed by the Electoral Commission of South Africa. The article also references a May 2025 policy gazette diluting Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment protections for multinationals.