"The Congress of the People is unwavering in its commitment to clean governance both in and out of COPE. If this were not the case we would not be here" said Dr Mvume Dandala in a joint statement with the General Secretary of COPE Charlotte Lobe following allegations of financial mismanagement made by COPE President in Cape Town yesterday (see here).

The concern about the state of parliamentary funds has been brought to the attention of the Congress Working Committee recently. The CWC agreed that the matter belongs in the audited financial statements that will be prepared for all the structures of COPE. The CWC however has gone further to put a committee in place to investigate these concerns given how seriously they viewed this matter.  This committee is due to report to the CWC when it next meets and relevant decisions can be taken at that point.

Furthermore the issue was also raised at last week's COPE Parliamentary caucus where members of parliament were appraised of the CWC's decision on how to deal with this matter . The Caucus saw no need for a hurried intervention in a process that is well within its cycle as per the prescripts of parliament. According to these prescripts audited books of the previous financial year are only expected from political parties in September 2010 and un audited management accounts only expected at the end of May 2010.  Such management accounts are in the process of being prepared and will be made available to the upcoming Congress of COPE as part of the financial report of the COPE Treasurer.

"It is very unfortunate that after two structures of COPE pronounced on these matters there are suggestions of a cover up. There is nothing further from the truth. We are satisfied that there is no attempt by anyone in the leadership to cover up anything"

"It is also unfortunate that these matters -implicating the Chief Whip as an accounting officer are being raised when he is abroad unable to speak for himself." The General Secretary Concluded.

COPE can assure the public that we live up to the values that we preach and anyone found not following that lead will be dealt with. We are alive to the fact that  ahead of the elections at COPE we will face increased calls for scrutiny but there are processes dictated by the law that need to be followed in determining such accountability. We are very clear that should these audits point to a need for a forensic investigation COPE will not hesitate to conduct same. At this stage we urge all our members to await the results of the audit process." The statement concluded.

Statement issued by the Congress of the People, April 29 2010

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