Mr Cachalia, who served as the shadow public enterprises minister for the Democratic Alliance (DA), is said to have violated the party's position on the conflict.

The party had appointed a spokesperson for the Israel-Gaza conflict and urged caucus members to refrain from making public statements that could divide or inflame the issue.

But on Tuesday Mr Cachalia tweeted: "I will not be silenced. Israel is committing genocide".

DA leader John Steenhuisen described the MP’s behaviour as "selfish and pursuing narrow self-interest above the common good", public broadcaster SABC reports.

Mr Cachalia in a statement confirms receiving the dismissal letter from the DA leader and says he will remain loyal to the party.

"I continue to keep a watchful eye on human rights abuses here and globally and I will always speak truth to power," he added.

He will be replaced by Mimmy Gondwe as the party's spokesperson on public enterprises.