DA drama drags on as Mmusi Maimane departs the the party entirely

Mmusi Maimane yesterday announced that he would step down as the leader of the DA, but he didn’t state that he’d be leaving the party. Today, it’s all change.

In his first tweet since Wednesday’s press conference, the former leader of the DA and leader of the opposition in Parliament clarified his next move.

Yesterday, he stated that he would remain with the party at least until the end of the year, and keep his role as the leader of the party in Parliament.

He has now, however, confirmed that he will no longer be a member of the party in any capacity.

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

— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) October 24, 2019

“It’s been my greatest honour to serve the people of SA and will continue to do so,” his tweet began.

“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 resignation from the party follows DA federal chair Athol Trollip’s resignation as the federal executive on Wednesday, and mayor of Johannesburg Herman Mashaba’s resignation on Monday.

After publishing the tweet, Mmusi Maimane removed his DA-inspired bio and header image from his profile page.

The knock-on effects

As a result of Maimane’s total resignation from the party, the DA’s chief whip John Steenhuisen’s tenure in that position comes to an end.

Let me be clear: I have NOT resigned from the @Our_DA or Parliament. The Leader of the party appoints the Chief Whip. With Mmusi’s resignation from Parliament my term as Chief Whip ends. I remain a committed and determined member of the party and cause.

— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) October 24, 2019

“The Leader of the party appoints the Chief Whip. With Mmusi’s resignation from Parliament my term as Chief Whip ends,” he clarified on Thursday.

“I remain a committed and determined member of the party and cause.”

Feature image: Mmusi Maimane’s Twitter account is now devoid of DA insignia, by Andy Walker/Memeburn