PRESIDENT MOSIUOA LEKOTA RECALLED AS PARTY PREDIENT

Delegates at the national congress of COPE have overwhelmingly passed a vote of no confidence on its president Mosiuoa Lekota and party head of communications, Phillip Dexter.

The motion follows an announcement by the general secretary, Charlotte Lobe, that the two had obtained an interdict against this weekends' congress from holding elections.

The congress instructed the leadership to urgently challenge the interdict as delegates vowed to defend the COPE constitution, rights and processes from this group or any other that would want to unfairly impose its desires on the majority of COPE members. 

Last night the conference to continue as envisaged by the February resolution of the CNC after the adoption of credentials report and tabling of a mid-week CNC resolution. The suggestions was that the conference be converted into a into a policy conference as agreed on Wednesday 27 May.

Although, Andile Nkuhlu and Thozamile Botha gave extensive explanations and motivations for the move, the proposition was, nonetheless rejected by the conference after an extensive discussion.

The steps taken by the president and his supporters  are regrettable as there was no indication as we left last night that there was any displeasure from him and his supporters in the CNC regarding the will of the majority.  

Although the entire CNC would have wished that the motion as agreed be accepted by the delegates, the CNC had no choice but to accept the decision of the congress.

The congress will, therefore, continue undeterred by the latest developments.

However, it must be emphasised that the party has confidence in the courts and will vigorously defend this matter on an urgent basis.

The congress will continue with its full agenda, bar the relevant restrictions, to discuss policies, plans and strategies to advance unity in our organisation.

It will not allow any actions that seek to thwart the will of the majority.

We are resolute on building COPE and the consolidation of this organisation so that we can reclaim our rightful place as the future alternative party for the people of South Africa.

Statement issued by Sipho Ngwema on behalf of the Congress of the People (Shilowa), May 29 2010

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