Former DA leader Tony Leon.
The Democratic Alliance's internal war has escalated dramatically, with former party leader John Steenhuisen's explosive allegations triggering a fierce public rebuttal from one of the party's most influential former figures and drawing accusations of possible "state capture" from the ANC.
Resolve Communications Executive Chairman Tony Leon has dismissed claims that his public affairs firm wielded improper political influence inside the Government of National Unity (GNU), describing the allegations as politically motivated and unsupported by evidence.
Leon, the former Leader of the Opposition and South Africa's former ambassador to Argentina, said Resolve Communications had become "a convenient external explanation for difficulties that are, in truth, internal and political" following a wave of allegations linking the firm to privileged access within government.
The extraordinary public clash comes days after Steenhuisen made a series of allegations in an interview with News24 over the weekend, further exposing deep divisions within the DA following his removal as party leader.
