COPE Faction misleading councillors

COPE councillors elected to councils throughout South Africa will take up their seats in accordance with a resolution by the Congress National Committee on 24 May 2011.

Negotiations and resolutions regarding cooperation and coalition agreements with other opposition parties will also be determined in accordance with resolutions of the Congress Working Committee. These resolutions explicitly ruled out coalitions with the governing African National Congress.

The above leadership structures of COPE are recognised by the Independent Electoral Commission, which remains the custodian of party lists and representation in councils.

Claims by Mr Mluleki George on behalf of a fake faction of COPE that they would influence councillors to effectively rejoin the ANC by assisting them to gain control of certain local councils in the Western Cape, are grossly irresponsible and misleading.

This is a repeat of the fake factional lies and disinformation that they spread before the elections, purporting to be in control of the COPE election process. As a result, many loyal COPE members were excluded and disadvantaged because of these unmitigated lies and disinformation.

The resulting confusion also had a negative impact on the election outcomes as many members were unable to vote for COPE in the absence of candidates in specific municipalities.

The factual and legal position is plain and simple. Any councillor who succumbs to, or act upon George's ludicrous claims, will be summarily suspended and recalled from whatever council and/or position they may have accepted in defiance of the COPE CNC resolutions.

Statement issued by Thozamile Botha MP, COPE Head of Governance, May 26 2011

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