The DA's chief whip in Gauteng, Mike Moriarty, has announced he will contest Helen Zille for the position of federal council chairperson at the party's virtual congress in October.

Moriarty's confirmation he is taking on Zille comes after she was referred to the party's federal legal commission for controversial tweets she posted about apartheid.

Zille was elected DA federal council chairperson in October last year, a move that caused in turmoil in the party.

READ MORE| Formal complaints lodged by senior black DA members against Helen Zille for apartheid tweets

Moriarty said he believed he was better suited for the position.

Moriarty said his decision to contest the position was long in the works, adding he would soon convince members of his vision for the party.