The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed the election of Dan Plato as the new mayor of Cape Town.

Councillors on Tuesday voted for a new candidate to fill the position of mayor following the stepping down of Patricia de Lille last week.

Opposition parties the African National Congress (ANC) and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) had put forward Xolani Sotashe and Grant Haskins as mayoral candidates respectively, but Plato was elected by majority, receiving 146 votes out of 208. 

DA Western Cape provincial leader Bonginkosi Madikizela said in a statement that Plato had shown commitment to service delivery throughout his career.

"The will of the people has now been reaffirmed by this vote and we will continue to deliver against our commitment that we made in 2016."

Madikizela said Plato had always been above "petty politics" and would bring stability and unity after months of bitter infighting in the DA caucus which saw De Lille and nine councillors resign last week.

He said Plato would lead the fight against gangsterism and violent crime and would also "accelerate projects which will transform the city and ensure that our city is more integrated".

Plato will continue with a "listening tour" throughout Cape Town to engage with residents about the issues affecting them.