However, despite widespread media reports, the proposed reshuffle has not yet formally been approved or announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, meaning no changes have taken effect and the process remains subject to presidential endorsement.
According to reports published in several media outlets, Hill-Lewis has requested that Steenhuisen be removed as minister of the Department of Agriculture and reassigned as deputy minister of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Willie Aucamp, currently the Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, has reportedly been proposed as Steenhuisen’s replacement, while Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier would move into Aucamp’s current portfolio.
Any changes to Cabinet appointments remain subject to Ramaphosa’s approval and have not yet been formalised.
The reported changes form part of a broader review of DA ministers and deputy ministers conducted after Hill-Lewis succeeded Steenhuisen as federal leader of the party earlier this year. The review was reportedly led by DA strategist Ryan Coetzee and examined the performance of the party’s representatives in the executive.
While the DA is understood to have submitted its recommendations to Ramaphosa, the president has not publicly confirmed whether he will accept, reject or amend any of the proposed changes. Several reports indicate that the requests have been forwarded to the Presidency, but implementation remains dependent on Ramaphosa’s approval.
Agriculture portfolio under scrutiny
The reported move follows months of criticism directed at Steenhuisen over his handling of the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, one of the most significant animal health crises facing South African agriculture.
According to media reports, Hill-Lewis gave Steenhuisen approximately two months following the DA leadership transition to demonstrate progress in the agriculture portfolio before deciding whether changes were necessary. That period has now elapsed.
Steenhuisen’s tenure has been dominated by the FMD outbreak, legal challenges to government vaccination policy and growing tensions between the Department of Agriculture and industry stakeholders. Recent controversy surrounding an internal email sent by Steenhuisen’s chief of staff, Jana le Roux, which became public after being mistakenly shared with FMD Response SA, further intensified scrutiny of the department’s engagement with farming organisations.
The uncertainty comes at a critical time for the sector, with government and industry still working to contain the country’s worst FMD outbreak in decades and implement a nationwide vaccination programme.
Aucamp tipped as successor
Should Ramaphosa approve the proposed changes, Aucamp would take over one of the most challenging portfolios in government at a time when the livestock industry continues to grapple with disease-control measures, vaccination rollouts and trade implications arising from FMD outbreaks.
Reports indicate that Aucamp has already been identified internally as the DA’s preferred candidate for the agriculture portfolio and that resolving disputes surrounding FMD policy would be among his immediate priorities if appointed.
The proposed reshuffle would also trigger a series of additional changes within the DA’s Cabinet contingent, including the movement of deputy ministers and the appointment of new representatives to several portfolios.
Awaiting presidential decision
Until Ramaphosa formally announces any Cabinet changes, the reported reshuffle remains a proposal rather than a final decision. Farmers, agricultural organisations and other industry stakeholders are likely to watch developments closely, particularly given the central role the Department of Agriculture continues to play in managing the country’s response to FMD and broader animal health reforms.
