According to Msimanga, individuals are encouraged to have their own view and own vote, adding that he is not the type of leader who would force voters in his province to have a particular collective stance.

Msimanga further added that “this is not an ANC, we don’t have slates”.

His sentiments have since been echoed by the embattled and ousted Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Tania Campbell, who spoke to the Joburg Post (JP) about who she is backing for the Executive positions in the party.

According to Campbell, she will be voting for John Steenhuisen for the position of  leader  of the DA, adding that she too will not be dictating the votes of party members in her region of Ekurhuleni.

Meanwhile, Msimanga expressed the party’s intentions to win power over in Gauteng, adding that the DA is in “within striking distance of unseating the ANC” both provincially and nationally.

Delegates at the Congress have already voted, with current DA leader John Steenhuisen addressing delegates shortly afterwards.

This is a developing story, more updates to follow.