[File Image] President of the Congress of the People being sworn in as a member of Parliament at the National Assembly in Parliament.[File Image] President of the Congress of the People being sworn in as a member of Parliament at the National Assembly in Parliament., saying he meddled in the selection of the party’s councillors.The party addressed challenges facing COPE’s growth, rebuilding and renewal.
COPE’s Ekurhuleni secretary Mxolisi Ntobela says, “Our President Mosiuoa Lekota must step down because he violated the Constitution of COPE by allowing an individual – who installed himself in the Ekurhuleni council. We are saying because he is the custodian of COPE, he should have at least acted better than that.”
“Our Deputy President must run the affairs of the party until the congress, where the members will elect the leader they want to lead the party. Leadership battles are not new to COPE – back in 2013, the party saw a conflict between Mbhazima Shilowa and Lekota – which sowed divisions in the party.”Earlier, COPE spokesperson Dennis Bloem said this unfortunate situation could have been avoided if Lekota heeded to leadership’s advice on the matter.
“Mr Lekota could have avoided this situation if he was willing to listen to advise, his Deputy President comrade Willie Madisha, the Secretary for election comrade Mzwandile Hleko and myself spoke to President Lekota and advised him to say that he is no longer the energetic “Terror” Lekota.” “He must consider retiring because his health is also not on his side anymore but Comrade Lekota did not want to listen to this advice.”