Knives out for DA top-spot hopefuls

HEAVY jostling to replace DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko has gone into overdrive after the party opened nominations yesterday. The DA's deeply divided parliamentary caucus is expected to hold its elections next Thursday. DA federal chairman James Selfe confirmed that nominations had opened. He said candidates were expected to make a five-minute presentation to a meeting of DA MPs next Thursday, after which voting would take place.

Some of the frontrunners include spokesman Mmusi Maimane, but he will have to square up with another rising DA star, Makashule Gana.

The party's parliamentary caucus has been the scene of strife since Mazibuko was elected in 2011. She was often given a hard time by senior MPs aligned to Zille.

Zille said on Sunday Mazibuko had resigned because she faced the prospect of not being re-elected next week. – George Matlala