By Angela Quintal, Sipho Khumalo & Janine Stephen
The return of Louis Luyt's Federal Alliance in Gauteng, at least two new parties in parliament and 16 members of parliament changing parties marked Thursday's start to the defection season.
In KwaZulu-Natal, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) provincial leader Hawu Mbatha defected to Ziba Jiyane's National Democratic Convention (Nadeco), giving that party its first foothold in the legislature.
The Inkatha Freedom Party begins its annual conference on Friday with no defections on the first day, although it is understood that several public representatives are still considering their options.
IFP MP Jabulani Maphalala, who was fired by his party hours before the floor-crossing window period opened on Thursday, is on Friday challenging his sacking at the high court.
The African National Congress scored getting 10 new party members, nine coming from the New National Party and one from the Independent Democrats.
Their former colleague, NNP MP Stan Simmons, defected to the newly-formed United Party of South Africa.
African Christian Democratic Party Chief Whip Louis Green defected to the Federation of Democrats.
The DA in Gauteng lost two MPLs - Nelia Pludderman and Gerrie Wolmerans - to the Federal Alliance of ex-rugby boss and fertiliser king Luyt.
The ID began to bleed on Thursday, with its Northern Cape MPL and chief whip Ebrahim Sulliman crossing the floor to the ANC. In the Western Cape, former ID provincial leader Lennit Max crossed to the DA.
The floor-crossing window period will last until September 15, giving public representatives enough time to decide their political future.