Hi, I would like some ‘inside’ information as to why Dion George was really-really removed as Minister. Is there truth in his having resisted vested interests in issues not liked by the DA, like some kinds of hunting?
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Thanks for your question @rosiekingwill. It seems like it was his aggressive stance against the powerful captive lion and wildlife-breeding industry.
@Don wrote about it here:
and then most recently:
I am sure the facts for his removal all add up, and while the result is a clear win for exploitative ‘farming’ practices, I suspect we know far less about the lonely path path that people of integrity and conviction travel.
Is there a place for integrity, and following the path your convictions demand, in our political landscape? I think we are sill stuck with an inherited inherently unstable apple cart, where anyone not willing to conform is cast off. The merits of doing the right things, of integrity in the face of opposition, play second fiddle to keeping said cart upright. Is there a place for people like Dion George? Or are such condemned to the fringes of real power that changes our world for the better? What message does this sacking send to anyone willing to take a stand for what is the right thing to do, even if it paints a target on your back?
Thanks, @rosiekingwill for raising this issue.
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Imagine being J Steezy and needing to explain how an openly gay minister is opposing the farming faction that the DA is courting… With all the “news” about sexual misconduct breaking, I would not be surprised if his partner preferences added fuel to the firing.
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This whole situation has reminded me again how unfit for leadership John Steenhuisen is. From employing Roman Cabanac to posing with ordinance in Ukraine, to firing Dion George, he’s showing that his decision-making is compromised. I’m a paid-up member of the DA, and long-time supporter of their broader political agenda, however JS is making it really difficult to bring other South Africans into the DA fold.
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Although not everything he did was environmentally sound he mostly did excellent work unlike his environmental wrecking ball predecessor Ms Creecy who rubber stamped oil and gas exploration to appease her party fossil fuel sycophants and their pockets. Removing him is a big mistake and one that will cost votes as a large majority of the environmental lobby will move elsewhere. In light of the revelations of the profligate leader who dismissed him one wonders whether there are personal issues at play. For me he was the best minister we had at DFFE in a long time. As regards his staff relations I logged a formal complaint against one of his DDGs who as far as I know was reprimanded because she used to ignore all objections to oil and gas EIAs and appeals against them. For the first time all responses to appeals were kept pending until the CC matter will produce an outcome as ought to have happened a long time ago. So yes this was a minister with an environmental conscience who has been fired for having one unlike the ones who fired him who have none.
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100% agreed. Unfortunately everything points to the fact that JS has become captured by the huntin’ shootin’ fishin’ groups.
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As others on this thread have said, it would appear that JS is no longer an impartial Minister, as he has become captured by certain hunting and farming groups. I also don’t think it helped that Dion George took away his DA credit card recently.
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@Rebecca_Davis’s latest video might have some further insight @rosiekingwill
