Former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane has now resigned from the party and from Parliament.
Maimane made the announcement in a tweet on Thursday morning. He wrote, “I have worked tirelessly to build the project of One SA for All. It’s been my greatest honour to serve the people of SA and will continue to do so.
“I have today resigned from the DA and Parliament. Thank you to the people of this country for your faith in our nation. God bless SA.”
His latest resignations follow his momentous announcement on Wednesday that he is quitting as DA leader.
DA parliamentary caucus
Maimane had indicated on Wednesday that he would continue serving as DA parliamentary leader until the end of the year “if the party so wishes.”
However, News24 and Business Day reported that the DA parliamentary caucus was unhappy about his comments in his resignation speech.
He was quoted saying that the “DA is not the vehicle best suited to take forward the vision of building one South Africa for all.”
Some members of the caucus were therefore planning to oust Maimane as parliamentary leader on Thursday.
“He cannot say such a thing about the party and expect to continue in his role in parliament. That’s madness,” a DA MP told Business Day.
Maimane’s resignation from DA and as parliamentary leader could therefore be seen as a preemptive move.
John Steenhuisen as parliamentary leader?
There is speculation that current DA chief whip John Steenhuisen could emerge as the next parliamentary leader.
MPs Phumzile van Damme and Natasha Mazzone have also been touted as the next possible chief whip in case Steenhuisen succeeds Maimane in Parliament.
DA’s Federal Executive is also set to meet on Thursday to consider legal advice on who to appoint DA interim leader until an early congress is held in April 2020.
The uncertainty was triggered by the simultaneous resignation of Federal Chairperson Athol Trollip, who would have succeeded Maimane as party leader.