The People’s Movement for Change (PMC) notes with serious concern the allegations surrounding DA Member of Parliament and Federal Finance Chairperson, Dr Mark Burke, and the company he co-founded, Kastelo.

The South African Reserve Bank is investigating alleged exchange-control contraventions involving approximately R4 billion, while the Johannesburg High Court has already dismissed Kastelo’s attempt to overturn a blocking order imposed on its funds.

These are serious allegations. They must be investigated fully, independently and without political interference.

But there is an equally important political question that the Democratic Alliance cannot escape:

Will the DA apply to itself the same standard of accountability that it so loudly demands from everyone else?

Dr Burke occupies a position at the very heart of the DA’s financial leadership while also serving in parliamentary structures responsible for oversight of public finances.

PMC does not pronounce guilt before due process has run its course. But accountability does not begin only after a conviction. Where credible allegations create a potential conflict between public responsibility and private financial interests, ethical leadership demands transparency and appropriate action.

The DA has built much of its political identity around clean governance, financial discipline and consequence management. Those principles cannot suddenly become negotiable when scrutiny reaches its own Federal Executive.

South Africans are tired of political parties that demand one standard from their opponents and another from themselves.

PMC therefore calls on the DA leadership to explain publicly what internal steps it has taken regarding Dr Burke and whether it believes his continued occupation of senior financial and parliamentary oversight positions is appropriate while these matters remain under investigation.

Accountability cannot depend on the colour of your political T-shirt.

South Africa deserves leadership where the rules apply equally – whether you sit in government, opposition, Parliament or a party’s Federal Executive.

Issued by:

Zandre Allen

Office of the Secretary General

People’s Movement for Change (PMC)