Senior Democratic Alliance leaders have urged the partys Federal Legal Commission FLC to speedily conclude an investigation into a leadership dispute before an elective federal congress due in April, saying failure to do so could be seen as a ploy to undermine leader John Steenhuisen s bid for a third term.
At least three senior DA leaders, including provincial and federal council members, told the Mail Guardian that there was unease within the party about the timing of the probe being perceived internally as a factional tactic to sideline or eliminate Steenhuisen from the race.
But DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille this week rejected claims that either she or any faction aligned to her was seeking to hurt Steenhuisens chances.
