Johannesburg – The DA has dismissed as rumours claims about an internal battle over the use of party resources by its parliamentary leader and its Gauteng premier candidate, the Sunday Independent reported.

According to the report, Lindiwe Mazibuko and Mmusi Maimane would likely stand against each other in the party leadership race after current leader Helen Zille’s tenure.

Democratic Alliance MP Geordin Hill-Lewis, a senior aide to Zille, said: “This is nothing but internal rumour mongering before an election.

“There is no truth to it.”

According to the report, the allegations were part of the political rivalry between Mazibuko’s and Maimane’s respective supporters.

Mazibuko’s opponents reportedly claimed she was being probed over a R35 000 bill for use of a chauffeur-driven Mercedes-Benz during a recent trip to London.

Her opponents reportedly countered that the DA was paying four bodyguards for Maimane.

Maimane reportedly said: “Any candidate would have [bodyguards]. I have received threats”.

DA federal executive chair James Selfe denied Mazibuko was being investigated.

– SAPA