What does the DA constitution say about the next leader?
With the sudden resignation of the Democratic Alliance (DA) federal leader Mmusi Maimane and federal chairperson Athol Trollip, the party has been left in a leadership crisis.
Since then chief whip John Steenhuisen has had to vacate his parliamentary position, leaving the embattled party in a lurch.
According to the party's constitution, in the event the leader is unable to fulfill his duties the federal chairperson takes up the position.
However spokesperson Refiloe Ntsekhe admits they weren't prepared for what transpired on Wednesday.
"Our constitution has said the federal chairperson deputises the federal leader, but we never took into consideration the possibility of them leaving at the same time," says Ntsekhe.
If the party follows the constitution, Ivan Meyer is tipped for the top position on an interim basis.
"We don't want to mistake the constitution that why we just have a quick referral to our federal legal commission. Dr Ivan Meyer would fill the position of the leader, Mr Mike Waters would then fill the position of the federal chair because it's in that order but we just need to get legal clarity that the interpretation of the constitution is indeed correct."
Meanwhile the party will meet next week to elect an interim parliamentary leader.
It hopes to convene an election elective congress by April 2020.
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