Former Democratic Alliance chief whip John Steenhuisen has been elected DA parliamentary leader, the party announced on Sunday.
Steenhuisen’s term as chief whip came to an end with the shock resignation of DA leader Mmusi Maimane last week.
The nominations for DA parliamentary leader officially closed at 8pm on Friday, DA parliamentary caucus chairperson Annelie Lotriet said.
“I can confirm that the position was uncontested with only one nomination. Therefore the new parliamentary leader is John Steenhuisen,” she says.
“The DA’s parliamentary caucus looks forward to working with Mr Steenhuisen and he can be assured of our support.”
Meanwhile, Maimane’s political future remains unclear despite swirling speculations of the formation of a new party.
But Maimane remained tight-lipped at the weekend, saying he did not want to comment on any speculation and he wanted to take time off.
“I am not speaking at the moment. We want to reflect,” he said.
It was a dramatic week for the DA after Maimane’s resignation was followed by that of federal chairperson Athol Trollip.
Earlier in the week, outgoing Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba sparked the exodus when he quit after former DA leader Helen Zille was elected as the new federal council chairperson.
Announcing his resignation, Maimane said the DA was no longer the vehicle for him to fulfil his vision for the country.
Zille at the weekend said Maimane and Trollip’s posts as Federal Leader and Federal Chairperson will come up for election on 17 November in Johannesburg.