PRETORIA — The Democratic Alliance (DA) is navigating intense political scrutiny amid emerging DA procurement allegations involving state departments and past municipal tenders. At the center of the controversy are claims that Tony Leon, a former party leader, utilized his private consultancy, Resolve Communications, to lobby for lucrative government contracts within departments headed by DA ministers.
Addressing the mounting public backlash, DA Federal Chairperson Solly Msimanga has firmly denied any impropriety, specifically rejecting allegations that improper lobbying occurred during his tenure as executive mayor of the City of Tshwane. The controversy has sparked a broader national debate on influence peddling, prompting responses from the highest levels of government, including President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Tshwane Tenure and Disputed Affidavits
The spotlight recently turned to past municipal procurement, with allegations suggesting that Leon lobbied the City of Tshwane for tenders while Msimanga was mayor. Msimanga categorically denied these claims, stating on the record that he never held such a meeting with the former DA leader.
“If that was the case, there will be a register because anybody who goes into the mayor’s office into a building, they will sign a security check,” Msimanga explained, noting that his private assistants, secretaries, and chief of staff would have documented any such engagement.
Addressing a reportedly deposed affidavit submitted to the Public Protector that references his name, Msimanga dismissed the document as “Mickey Mouse.” He noted that his legal team has already taken action regarding the unauthorized use of his name in the filing, questioning why such grievances were not raised internally within the party structures years ago.
Resolve Communications and Broad Lobbying Claims
The scrutiny extends beyond Msimanga’s mayoral term. Recent reports have tallied approximately 17 instances where Resolve Communications allegedly attempted to facilitate meetings or partnerships with DA leadership across various municipalities and government departments. Prominent party figures, including Herman Mashaba, John Steenhuisen, Dion George, and Phumzile Van Damme, have previously referenced interactions with the consultancy.
When pressed on whether he was the “exception” who was never approached by Leon’s firm, Msimanga shifted the focus to Leon’s status as a private citizen. He argued that Leon operates a private business and has openly admitted to reaching out to ministers across the political spectrum, including those in the African National Congress (ANC).
Msimanga maintained that the DA’s internal reporting structures would have exposed any untoward influence. He referenced past internal discussions where former Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba raised similar issues, asserting that no evidence of inappropriate contract awards ever materialized from those meetings.
Policy Formulation and the Starlink Coincidence
Concerns have also been raised regarding whether DA policy formulation has been compromised by corporate lobbying. Critics point to the coincidence of Starlink—a client of Resolve Communications—standing to benefit from the DA’s championed policies on “equity equivalence” in broadband and empowerment laws.
Msimanga pushed back against the narrative of policy capture, directing critics to the DA’s historical manifesto and public speeches dating back to before the 2024 elections. He emphasized that the party’s stance on broadband competition, infrastructure investment, and education was established long before the Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed and portfolios were assigned.
Furthermore, Msimanga denied that Leon played any role in securing the DA’s specific ministerial portfolios during the GNU negotiations, clarifying that those discussions were held strictly between the President and the DA’s party leadership.
Ramaphosa’s “State Capture” Warning
The political temperature escalated when President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly weighed in on the saga. Without naming names directly but clearly referencing the media reports surrounding Leon, Ramaphosa likened the allegations to the very corruption the DA has historically fought against.
“The very people who have been campaigning against state capture are now themselves deeply immersed and influencing where contracts should go in a very active way,” Ramaphosa stated, adding that the truth must ultimately come to light.
Msimanga fired back at the President’s remarks, pointing to the ANC’s own documented history with state capture. However, he reiterated that the DA has nothing to hide and openly welcomed a formal presidential investigation into the matter.
“If there has been influence, we will get to the bottom of it. He is the President, he has the resources to get this thing going, and we would welcome it,” Msimanga said.
What Happens Next?
To ensure accountability and transparency, the DA is launching its own internal review. Msimanga confirmed that the party’s Federal Executive (FedEx) committee is scheduled to meet next week to formally test the allegations, map out a transparent investigative process, and determine the way forward.
“We are not going to hide anything, not hide behind commissions,” Msimanga concluded. “We will do this, and we will make that public.”
