Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has categorically denied having any dealings with Resolve Communications, the public relations firm owned and chaired by former Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon.
Malatsi’s denial follows allegations by another former DA leader, John Steenhuisen, who has claimed that Leon pressured DA deployees in the Government of National Unity (GNU) to secure deals for entities that are clients of his PR firm.
Steenhuisen, who was replaced as DA leader and later moved from his position as Minister of Agriculture to Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, has suggested that his demotion was the result of Leon’s political manoeuvring. He has made the claims in several media interviews and podcasts.
Responding to the allegations, Malatsi acknowledged meeting representatives of Starlink but insisted that the meeting had no connection to Resolve Communications or Leon.
“No, unequivocally, no. There hasn’t been. I’ve never met Starlink through Resolve. Resolve has never arranged or facilitated a meeting between me and Starlink,” Malatsi said.
He argued that Steenhuisen’s comments had been misrepresented, noting that the former DA leader never claimed Malatsi attended any meeting arranged by Resolve.
“If you listen to the podcast, he says he met with them, not me. I wasn’t in that meeting, and that’s a fact. He doesn’t say anywhere in the interview that I was there,” Malatsi said.
The minister dismissed Steenhuisen’s allegations as a distraction, saying the DA should be focusing on campaigning ahead of the elections rather than engaging in internal disputes.