Cape Town - Douglas Gibson, chief whip of the Democratic Alliance (DA), admitted on Sunday that he had had an "altercation" with DA MP Raenette Taljaard, but denied that this had led to her resignation.

The news that Taljaard - generally seen as one of the shining stars in the opposition benches - will leave parliament at the end of December, was still sending shockwaves through political circles on Sunday.

Rapport on Sunday reported that a vehement argument with Gibson was one of the reasons why Taljaard resigned.

Gibson said on Sunday it was a "pity that such an intelligent and talented person chose to continue with her studies rather than pursue a political career".

However, he believed their argument was not the reason behind her resignation.

"To allege that somebody would give up a long-term career in politics because of an argument is to weigh the issue far too lightly. Raenette is not a petty person.

"I strongly deny that the altercation we had had led to her resignation."

He did not want to elaborate on what the argument had been about.

Other DA members said these two strong personalities clashed regularly.

Gibson said Taljaard's resignation did not come as a surprise because the decision had already been taken a month ago.

"I have known about it for a long time. People should not make too much of the resignation or read too much into it," he said.

Indications are that Taljaard planned to study towards a PhD next year.

Anchen Dreyer, former member of the Gauteng legislature, is expected to take over Taljaard's position in parliament.

With acknowledgements to Jan-Jan Joubert and Die Burger.