South Africa's Coalition Fractures as DA Leadership Battle Spills Into Cabinet

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis publicly called for Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen's removal on 17 June, escalating the Democratic Alliance's leadership succession struggle into the government coalition. The move exposes tensions within the DA's cabinet representation and forces negotiation with ANC partners over ministerial appointments. Steenhuisen steps down as party leader in April; the agriculture portfolio became a flashpoint in his contested succession.