Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille has resigned from her dual role as leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape, the party confirmed on Monday.

De Lille has been mayor since 2011 and said she wanted to focus on this role. Her resignation takes effect on February 1.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane’s office said the position would be filled by the party’s deputy leader in the province, Human Settlements MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela, until a new leader was elected at a provincial congress later this year.