Agriculture ministry chief of staff Roman Cabanac is set to resign after a federal executive committee meeting which pressured minister John Steenhuisen to release him.
Cabanac, who was appointed in Steenhuisen's office, has one foot out the door after his controversial appointment more than a month ago.
The podcaster, who is known for his right-wing rhetoric and history of spewing racist and homophobic statements, is expected to lighten the load for his principal and leave office.
Steenhuisen faced backlash for the appointment and pressure was mounting on him to remove Cabanac from his position given the chief of staff's many polarising public statements.
Insiders said a discussion was held by the DA's federal executive this week over the harm brought to the party by the appointment resulting in Steenhuisen's request for Cabanac to step down.
Steenhuisen confirmed this, saying the controversy was detracting from the work done by his department.
Steenhuisen said he was sorry that this matter has been leaked before being finalised.
“A discussion was held regarding the fact that the appointment had become a distraction from the work of the ministry and this was drowning out the work being done. It was felt it was better if there was a relook at the appointment given that it was now impossible to communicate on any other matter.”
He said the HR process is under way.
“I'm happy to admit that we do not always get it right, we never will. People make mistakes, people don't always get it right. We should be judged on what to do when a mistake has been made and pointed out to you, and what you do thereafter.
“There has been a conversation with Mr Cabanac and there is a human resources discussion that is under way. Frankly, I found it far too distracting from the work of our ministry and government that he is the news story rather than the department, and I have asked him therefore to consider stepping aside in order for us to continue and move forward,” said Steenhuisen.
Recently, DA federal chair Helen Zille distanced her party from the decision to appoint Cabanac, saying he was neither a DA employee nor one of its representatives.
It is said the move to install Cabanac as head of staff raking in R1.4m per annum has ruffled feathers in Steenhuisen’s party, with many questioning his relations to the federal leader and the basis of the hire.
“We do not know him as well in the DA. He is a total outsider; we do not know what led John to this decision. His views are controversial, and his appointment caused unnecessary attention,” said a senior insider.
