Botha 'to leave politics'
2009-01-07 14:31
Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance (DA) leader in Parliament, Sandra Botha, confirmed on Wednesday that she will retire after the general elections this year.
"I hereby confirm that I will not be making myself available for re-election in 2009, until which time I will continue to serve as Parliamentary leader for the Democratic Alliance," Botha said in a statement.
"I have made the decision to retire after the next election in order to pursue opportunities outside party politics, of which I will provide more detailed information as soon as my plans have reached greater finality."
She said she would not join another political party.
"My full commitment rests with the DA and ensuring that we achieve every possible success in the next election, after which I intend remaining a loyal member of the party."
In an interview with Beeld, Botha denied that her decision was linked to reports of in-fighting within the official opposition party.
"Anyone who thinks that I would leave the DA for any other party, clearly does not know me very well," she said.
DA leader Helen Zille said she was aware of Botha's plans to retire from politics alongside her husband, DA MP Andries Botha, who is a former DA leader of the Free State.
- SAPA