RESOLUTIONS OF THE COPE CAUCUS OF THE 3RD JUNE 2010
CONSTITUENCY PERIOD
1. Papi Kganare should convene a meeting of Cluster Chairpersons and Whips to formulate and develop a programme of visits to Mpumalanga and N.West so that we can be visible around areas where there are service delivery protests.
2. Individual members should develop a programme of action together with the political leadership within their respective constituencies and submit reports.
3. Upon the return from the recess/constituency period, reports of individual members and clusters should be submitted and the information used to formulate:
1. Motions
2. Statements and
3. Questions
FINANCIAL REPORT
1. A memorandum by Whips be drafted and sent to all National Office-bearers about the non-functioning of the Whippery and misuse of funds. The intention is that the CNC/CWC should pronounce itself on this. This memorandum should be finalised by close of business today.
2. The caucus is unhappy that the financial report which is alleged to be audited was sent to Parliament without the knowledge of both Whippery and Caucus contrary to the assurance of the Chief Whip. This is due to concerns of mismanagement of funds involving: the irregular awarding of a tender to the Secretary of COPE Youth Movement at astronomical figure, the financing of W.Cape regional and provincial congresses, attempts to transfer funds to the COPE N.West legislature account where Nikiwe Num is the sole signatory, hiring of security personnel to guard certain people at conference. Strong suspicion exists that Mr Dennis Bloem's signature was forged in order to process a payment. Abuse of public funds through Uniglobe Travel agency which allows parliamentary staff to fly staff and other COPE members around the country and lastly payments processed for conference at St Georges and Gallagher which is not allowed in terms of the Policy on Parliamentary Allowances.
3. The instruction by the Chief Whip to the bank prohibiting other whips who are signatories to the account from accessing financial information should be reversed. The whips present in the meeting should approach the bank and inform them accordingly.
4. The caucus should discuss the attached document entitled "Standing orders for the Parliamentary caucus of the Congress of the People (draft)"for adoption at the next caucus meeting. In addition, all caucus discussion and resolutions should be minuted and adopted at subsequent meeting. Deidre Carter was appointed as the minute's taker.
5. The caucus should appoint the following committees to run its affairs: Finance, Human Resources and Discipline.
6. The auditors be invited to make a presentation to the caucus about the Financial Report submitted to parliament. The proper budget for the current financial year be developed and adopted by the Political Committee and be shared with caucus.
7. A motion of no confidence is passed on the Caucus Chairperson due to her inability to be non-partisan and consistent in chairing the meetings.
8. The Chief Whip and Admin Whip be censured by caucus and reported to CWC/CNC for disciplinary process for the manner in which they handle the caucus funds.
9. Parliament's payroll system be adopted and used for payment of all parliamentary staff and where possible all constituency staff. Only provincial secretaries be paid from constituency funds.
N.B. Nine members who attended the caucus walked out when the item on financial report was supposed to be discussed.
Statement issued by COPE (L) June 4 2010
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
