COPE has terminated the membership of Gauteng Provincial members, Cllr Colleen Makhubele, and Cllr Ofentse Moalusi from Tshwane

14 November 2023

The Congress of the People has taken a decision to terminate with immediate effect the membership of Gauteng Provincial members, Colleen Makhubele and Ofentse Moalusi. Both members are councillors in Johannesburg and Tshwane respectively.

Makhubele, held the Speaker of Council position in the City of Johannesburg.

The party’s decision comes a day after both Makhubele and Moalusi started campaigning for the newly established alliance party, South African Rainbow Alliance (SARU).

According to President Mosiuoa Lekota, there was no final decision taken to form part of the alliance. He said while the party was considering to be part of the alliance, it didn’t give the pair the go ahead. Their decision was against the party’s constitution.  

“We were aware of smaller parties coming together to perhaps form an alliance or a coalition that would campaign in next year’s elections. However, no final decision was made on the above,” said President Lekota.

“We were surprised to learn over the weekend through social media that the pair have already started campaigning for an alliance and have positioned themselves as the president and chairperson of that alliance,” said Lekota.

Issued by Tebogo Loate, Chairperson, COPE, 14 November 2023