Reeling from the recent resignations of its leader Mmusi Maimane, City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba and party chairperson Athol Trollip, the Democratic Alliance (DA) will urgently convene a Federal Council to elect an interim leader and chairperson.

DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille said a Federal Congress will be convened as soon as practically possible, with a provisional target of April 2020.

The DA thanked Maimane and Trollip for their service to the party and the country.

“The DA is in the business of ensuring that the Democratic Project is not derailed by either internal or external issues. We can waste no time in working for an inclusive, prosperous democracy.  To this end, strong and stable leadership in the DA is essential,” said Zille.

The DA’s constitution calls for the chairperson to deputise the party’s leader but it does not outline protocol when both positions simultaneously become vacant.

The party’s Federal Executive (FedEx) convened on Thursday to mull over legal opinion by its Federal Legal Commission on filling the positions while ensuring that the party’s constitution is not undermined and that party operations are not negatively impacted.

The party said it would continue to be an effective and constructive opposition, and would continue to improve governance in the Western Cape, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Limpopo.

Meanwhile, DA chief whip John Steenhuisen stepped down following Maimane's resignation. DA caucus chairperson and acting parliamentary leader Annelie Lotriet explained that as Steenhuisen was appointed by the parliamentary leader, who has now resigned, Steenhuisen automatically had to step down.

Lotriet will take over as acting parliamentary leader until next week's election of the new parliamentary leader.

“The FedEx has also noted the developments of the Parliamentary Caucus, the decisions and actions of which will be communicated by the interim Parliamentary Caucus leadership. We would like to thank our members and supporters for standing by us during this difficult period. We remain committed to our values of freedom, fairness, opportunity and diversity,” said Zille.