DA MP Karabo Khakhau "forced" to withdraw from race for top job

Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP) Karabo Khakhau announced what she has described as her forced withdrawal from the race for deputy chairperson of the party's federal council.

In a statement posted on social media on Saturday, Khakhau says her disqualification is linked to allegations that she owed "tithes" to the organisation.

She explained that although she settled the outstanding amount, the party's free state provincial executive committee declined to grant her a letter of good financial standing, a decision later upheld by the party's federal executive.

The announcement comes as the party prepares to hold its federal congress to elect its new leadership next month.

Khakhau said her disqualification comes despite previous cases where leaders in similar situations were allowed to contest.

She believes the move is a deliberate pushback against those opposing efforts "to abolish ancillary structures" within the party.

The DA is yet to comment on Khakhau's allegations.