Phumzile van Damme has become the latest prominent black leader to quit the DA, as both a party member and MP, citing the influence of a “clique of individuals”.

The outspoken MP took to Twitter late on Thursday to announce her stepping down from the DA, saying she had filed a resignation letter with national assembly speaker Thandi Modise.

Van Damme’s resignation did not come as a surprise as it had been part of the rumour mill within DA circles amid claims that there were plans to reinstate charges against her stemming from a verbal altercation she had with a shopper at the V&A Waterfront in 2019...