Steenhuisen: DA remains a vehicle for change
Former Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip John Steenhuisen still believes that the official opposition is able to deliver change.
Steenhuisen stepped down as the chief whip in Parliament on Thursday, a day after DA leader Mmusi Maimane announced his resignation.
ALSO READ: Mmusi Maimane resigns from Parliament, DA
On Wednesday, Maimane announced his resignation as leader of the DA following the election of Helen Zille as chairperson of the party’s federal council.
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
According to the DA's Constitution, the chief whip’s term of office is linked to that of the party leader.
This means Steenhuisen still has the opportunity to be re-appointed as chief whip when an interim leader is appointed by the party.
Speaking outside Parliament on Thursday, Steenhuisen confirmed he would not be resigning as an MP and that he disagreed with Maimane's sentiments that the DA is no longer a vehicle for change.
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"I'm very proud of the caucus that I have been part of. I believe the work that we do here is the bedrock of building the alternative in South Africa and we're going to continue doing that.
"It doesn't matter whether I am sitting in the chief whip’s bench or whether I am sitting on the backbench.
"I disagree with Mr Maimane that the DA is not the vehicle for change. I believe it is the only viable vehicle for change in South Africa."
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