The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accepted the resignation of Ghaleb Cachalia as an MP and as a member of the party, effective immediately, while also dismissing Cachalia’s claims about the party.

Cachalia announced his resignation on Thursday, detailing his reasons to the chairperson of the party’s Federal Executive, along with various pertinent appendices.

On Tuesday, the DA’s Khume Ramulifho announced that he would be joining RISE Mzansi, as he also resigned as a member of the DA and as a Member of the Provincial Legislature in Gauteng.

In his resignation letter, Cachalia wrote that the leadership of the DA had become increasingly uncomfortable with his public utterances on the war in Gaza.

He claimed there was a “growing dysfunctional, undemocratic and authoritarian tendency” in the party, adding that he had not directly contradicted party policy in any way.

He said he had been served with a cease and desist order and had been accused of contradicting DA official policy and contravening a caucus injunction to only allow the shadow minister of International Relations and Cooperation to comment on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

He added that he was fired from his position in the shadow cabinet.

“As a consequence, I cannot but infer that party leadership intends not only to sideline me, but also to prevent my return as a candidate MP on the list for the 2024 elections,” he explained.

The DA categorically rejected Cachalia’s claims, which the party said he “manufactured” in an attempt to justify his resignation, including his mischaracterisation of the party’s position on the war in Gaza.

DA national spokesperson Solly Malatsi noted that the DA remained irrevocably committed to peace, to a two-State solution, and to the creation of a sovereign and unoccupied Palestine in peaceful co-existence next to a secure Israel.

Malatsi said that it was important to recognise that, “as the most diverse party in South Africa”, the DA is home to members from all walks of life with divergent views on various issues.

“These views are frequently aired in an atmosphere of mutual respect through the party’s various caucuses, with members respecting the outcomes and decisions resulting from these discussions,” he explained.

Malatsi said that Cachalia’s disrespect for party processes, for his colleagues, and for the diversity of views in the DA had mounted over time, culminating in his violation of a caucus decision that the party’s shadow minister for International Relations and Cooperation would be the spokesperson on the war in Gaza.

The DA further rejected attacks on the party’s coalition partners, on civil society that had rallied behind the Multi-Party Charter, and on the DA’s systems and processes.

Malatsi explained that the party rejected Cachalia’s attempts to scapegoat DA leader John Steenhuisen, particularly after his “full-throated” support for Steenhuisen during the party’s recent Federal Congress.

“Less than a year ago, Cachalia declared on Facebook his "admiration" for Steenhuisen, pointing out that he ‘walks the talk as a leader',” Malatsi said.

Cachalia said he would evaluate and consider his future options which would “always seek to serve human rights, economic prosperity, and a more inclusive democracy”.

“I find myself unable to address and serve these aims appropriately within the confines of the DA in its current incarnation and leadership. This is pertinent as we face all-important national elections,” he explained.