Resolve Communications CEO Tony Leon Denies Allegations of Improper Influence
Tony Leon, chief executive of Resolve Communications and a veteran of the Democratic Alliance (DA), has publicly rebutted claims made by former DA leader John Steenhuisen that his firm used privileged access to arrange meetings between government officials and private clients, including Elon Musk’s Starlink.
In a statement issued to TimesLIVE and echoed in interviews with News24, Leon characterised the allegations as “unfounded” and said no evidence has been presented to support them.
Leon’s Response to the Accusations
Leon stressed that accusations of wrongdoing must be accompanied by verifiable proof.
“What they have conspicuously lacked is the one thing that should accompany an allegation of wrongdoing: evidence. Not a single document, not a single unlawful act has been produced, simply because there is none.”
He added that one of the individuals making the claim admitted in his own words that he had “put two and two together” without any substantiating material.
Leon further rejected the framing of his work as akin to state capture, arguing that facilitating open dialogue between law‑abiding companies and government is the opposite of covert influence.
“Conflating the two is not only wrong. It is an insult to South Africans who have suffered the reality and fought to bring it to light.”
Context of the Dispute
The remarks come amid heightened political tension within the DA and the broader coalition government. Steenhuisen alleged that Leon used Resolve’s proximity to DA leaders to secure meetings for clients such as Starlink, a claim that the ANC and ActionSA have called for an investigation into.
Leon countered that the allegations are politically motivated.
“These allegations have emerged in the midst of political disputes in which Resolve has no role. We have become a convenient external explanation for difficulties that are in fact internal and political.”
He noted that similar accusations were levelled against him and Resolve in 2019 during a partisan dispute; no charges followed, and the claims were later deemed unfounded.
Resolve’s Position on Public Affairs Work
Leon described Resolve’s activities as standard public‑affairs practice in any democracy.
- Representing legitimate, law‑abiding companies that invest, create jobs, and contribute to national growth.
- Engaging government openly, on the record, and respecting official decisions—even when meeting requests are declined.
- Providing a channel for affected stakeholders to voice concerns to policymakers.
He asserted that requesting a meeting and accepting a refusal does not constitute corruption.
“If we have requested a meeting on behalf of a client and that request was rejected, we have respected the decision without complaint. A request made and voluntarily rejected does not constitute corruption. To claim otherwise is to misunderstand or intentionally misrepresent how an open society works.”
Potential Legal Steps
Leon indicated that he would consider legal action if the statements veer into defamation.
“I would consider legal action if the ‘untruths’ veered into defamation.”
Broader Implications
The exchange highlights the delicate balance between legitimate advocacy and perceptions of undue influence in South Africa’s political landscape. Independent observers note that transparent disclosure of lobbying activities and adherence to existing regulatory frameworks are essential to maintain public trust.
As of the time of writing, no formal investigation has been launched by the relevant authorities, and both parties continue to defend their positions in the public arena.
