In a surprising move, John Steenhuisen, the leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Minister of Agriculture, has confirmed that he’s asked his new chief of staff, Roman Cabanac, to step down.
Steenhuisen had previously defended Cabanac’s appointment but revealed his decision during a recent speech at the Cape Town Press Club on September 12.
Steenhuisen’s Remarks on Cabanac’s Resignation
During his speech, Steenhuisen addressed the situation candidly.
He acknowledged that mistakes happen and emphasized that how one handles those mistakes is crucial.
“No one gets it right all the time.
People make errors, and what’s important is how you respond after those errors are pointed out,” he said.
Steenhuisen admitted that the ongoing discussion regarding Cabanac was becoming a distraction from the ministry’s work and government responsibilities, leading to his decision to ask Cabanac to reconsider his position.
Controversy Surrounding Roman Cabanac
Cabanac’s appointment has been controversial, particularly due to his past comments.
Social media backlash erupted when users uncovered videos and tweets where Cabanac made racially charged remarks.
The Daily Maverick reported that Cabanac had referred to Black people as the “Bantu tribe” and questioned the historical account of the Sharpeville massacre, where 69 protesters were killed by apartheid police.
Cabanac also faced criticism for derogatory comments about President Cyril Ramaphosa, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, and Ramaphosa’s spokesperson.
These comments included offensive language and comparisons.
Cabanac’s Apology and Admission
In response to the backlash, Cabanac issued a statement on September 11, acknowledging that his past statements had been controversial and provocative.
He admitted that his earlier approach—characterized by pushing boundaries for attention—was often insensitive and unproductive.
“I recognize that some of my comments were divisive and poorly considered.
While some criticisms were valid, I now understand that my approach was not constructive,” Cabanac said, expressing his intention to change his approach.
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