The final straw leading to rebel ANC MP Andrew Feinstein's resignation from parliament was a disciplinary action instituted by ANC Chief Whip Tony Yengeni after Feinstein abstained on the vote of confidence in the speaker, Frene Ginwala.

Feinstein had already been interviewed by the "discipline whips" in parliament for two other alleged infractions - his refusal to vote in meetings of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and for speaking out on the arms investigation.

When he was told his explanation would be taken back to Yengeni as Chief Whip to decide what further action to take, he objected, Feinstein said in an interview after announcing his resignation this week.

'I said my position and behaviour wouldn't change'

"I said it was not appropriate if the Chief Whip oversaw the process, because he had a potential conflict of interest," Feinstein said.

Yengeni is being investigated by the joint investigation team looking into the R43 billion arms deal over the discount he got on a Mercedes 4 X 4 from one of the companies seeking an arms sub-contract.

Feinstein gave a detailed explanation for his actions to the discipline whips, and was told someone other than Yengeni would adjudicate, and later that it had been referred to ANC national headquarters in Johannesburg.

Feinstein met the secretary general, Kgalema Motlanthe. "I told him the situation was untenable. I said my position and behaviour wouldn't change."

There was "mutual agreement" that he should resign from parliament.

'I have problems with the Democratic Alliance on a range of issues, from substance to style'

But these were not the only problems Feinstein had with the ANC over its handling of the arms deal.

He said he had two meetings with the governance committee of the ANC in Parliament, at which the committee was divided over whether he had done anything wrong.

A third meeting that included Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin and two deputy ministers, presided over by Deputy President Jacob Zuma, had also tried to "rein me in," he said.

Feinstein did not consider this proper, since in the past the public accounts committee had simply informed the ministries as a courtesy about what they were doing, but did not engage with them since they were expected to conduct parliamentary oversight over the executive.

Feinstein said the reason he had refused to vote was a point of principle.

"Scopa does not deal with policy, only with the compliance with financial regulations. There is no point in Scopa if members vote on party lines, because then they are deciding based on who the transgressor is.

"The investigation into the Independent Broadcasting Authority, Sarafina II, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and the director-general of Correctional Services would never have happened if we voted on party lines."

He was also unhappy that he was not allowed to speak out on issues unless they were agreed in the ANC study group on public accounts, where his views were in the minority.

Feinstein remains an ANC member. "I never considered joining another party. My political home is still the ANC."

Asked whether he had considered joining the DA, he said: "I have problems with the Democratic Alliance on a range of issues, from substance to style to their insensitivity to South Africa's history and the inequalities it caused."

He says he has received job offers in South Africa and London in the financial services industry, and plans to make a final decision about his future this month.  

With acknowledgment to John Matisonn and Sunday Independent Online.