Gerald Morkel, the beleaguered Western Cape leader of the Democratic Alliance, said on Wednesday he had no intention of resigning.
His stand came after his deputy, Hennie Bester, declared that Morkel was "guardian of his own conscience and the master of his own fate".
Bester made the remarks at a media briefing on Wednesday afternoon where he announced he was quitting active politics.
Morkel has denied claims made by alleged fraudster Jurgen Harksen at the Desai Commission that he donated more than a million rand to the DA, much of it at Morkel's behest.
The commission on Wednesday morning heard testimony from a suspended Absa official that Morkel last year ordered the laundering of a donation to the DA in Deutschmarks.
Morkel, who is also mayor of Cape Town, said through his spokesperson Kylie Hatton that he would read the transcript of the testimony before reacting to it.
Hatton said the mayor had no intention of quitting.
"He regrets the resignation of Hennie Bester; he was a great colleague and friend of his while at the province," she said.
"And no, he won't be resigning." - Sapa