COPE WILL ENSURE PARTY WOES DON'T DIVERT ATTENTION FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

COPE wishes to assure the people of South Africa that there would be no "COPE drama" at the presidential state of the nation address and the august occasion will be afforded the necessary decorum.

Former leader and current parliamentary leader, Mosiuoa Lekota, made a dramatic announcement that had the potential of distracting proceedings in parliament.

The party wishes to assure the nation that the occasion is about the state of the nation and not that of the party.

The office of the general secretary is interacting with COPE Members of Parliament to make sure that they all conduct themselves with honour and dignity during and after the proceedings. All COPE MPs are urged to attend the event as elected public representatives of the people of South Africa.

The organisation's CNC will meet over the weekend to seek a decisive solution that would meet the minimum requirements of both parliament and the IEC. This week's dramatic events which have the potential to divert attention from the main event are regrettable and the party will act swiftly, following due process, to stem the tide of the current circus.

Statement issued by Sipho Ngwema on behalf of Congress of the People (S), February 9 2011

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