DA Spokesperson Emma Powell Resigns After Allegedly Spreading Disinformation About SA

• The Democratic Alliance's international relations spokesperson and member of Parliament, Emma Powell, has resigned
• She was accused of spreading disinformation about the government when she visited the United States of America
• The Democratic Alliance confirmed her resignation, and South Africans toasted her for the allegations she's facing

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, cabinet reshuffles, the State of the Nation Address, Parliamentary Proceedings, and politician-related news, as well as elections, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.

JOHANNESBURG — The Democratic Alliance confirmed the resignation of Emma Powell, its former International spokesperson, on 28 July 2025.

According to IOL, Powell is facing allegations of spreading misinformation about the South African government. She was part of a delegation of DA members, which included the former deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield. Whitfield was fired following the trip. The Democratic Alliance defended its trip and said that it was intended to provide factual information about the country's economic and political challenges.

What did Powell say about her resignation?

In a statement she posted on her @powellemmaloui1 X account, he said that over the past two years, she served as the party's shadow minister and national spokesperson. She said that many brutal repressive regimes in the world have been working with the Department of International Relations and Cooperations.

She said that she will continue to use her time in Parliament to serve the country. Powell added that she faced threats, intimidation, harassment, and bullying because of the nature of her work.

Read the X statement here:

President Cyril Ramaphosa defended his reasons for sacking Whitfield for the trip the DA made to Washington. He said Whitfield undertook a trip to meet members of Trump's administration without his approval.

What did South Africans say?

Netizens commenting on Facebook shared their views on her resignation.

Stars Painters said:

"Maybe Parliament is a banana place. There's more internal fighting instead of coming together to make South Africa a better place."

Mosebetsi Mofokeng said:

"Treasonous allegations which caused us not to have an ambassador and have resulted in threats of sanctions against government officials."

Lorraine Brydon said:

"By telling the truth, she was forced to leave. By any chance, can the US embassy confirm that Jonas has a visa issued to him?"

Samkelo Sbonagonke Ndlovu said:

"I thought she said that she has credible sources in Washington."

Vrnon Cohen said:

"The truth is always hard to accept. Let's hear the whole unbiased and distorted story of events."

Democratic Alliance accuses ANC of having double standards

In a related article, Briefly News reported that the Democratic Alliance accused the African National Congress of having double standards. The party accused its Government of National Unity partner of not taking action against former Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane.

The party slammed Ramaphosa for firing Whitfield after he visited the United States. The DA opened a case against Nkabane and called for Ramaphosa to act against her.

Source: Briefly News