COPE RESPONDS TO SHILOWA STATEMENTS
THE CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE (COPE) noted with surprise the statements made by Mr Shilowa on national media suggesting his readiness to discuss and resolve COPE challenges in an out of court settlement (see below).
SHILOWA MUST WITHDRAW HIS FALSE CLAIM. If Shilowa is genuine about solving the current impasse relating to the Party, and he is not just posturing and grand-standing, then must withdraw the false claim that he has made to the courts to the effect that he was elected at Heartfelt as President of COPE. Until that happens the leadership of COPE is duty-bound, and ready, to defend the Party in the South Gauteng High Court on 1st February 2013.
SHILOWA IS NOT A MEMBER OF COPE. Shilowa was, and remains, expelled from the COPE for transgressions which he committed and has not yet answered for. COPE invites Shilowa to answer to these charges before a totally independent tribunal selected by an independent body. If he has nothing to hide Shilowa will openly accept this invitation.
SHILOWA IS IN CONTEMPT OF COURT. On 11 February 2011 Hon Judge Pringle ordered that Shilowa is interdicted and restrained from holding himself out in any way and to any person or entity as a member, office bearer or representative of the COPE or as its President. That interdict stands.
COPE WELCOMES ALL HONEST FORMER MEMBERS TO REJOIN THE PARTY. The Congress National Committee (CNC) meeting of 10-11 September 2011 adopted the Party Renewal Programme in terms of which all those who were genuinely interested in building the Party were invited to apply, or re-apply, for membership. In its subsequent meetings the CNC further resolved that everyone, irrespective of whom they support for President of the Party, was welcome to re-join the Party provided that, in keeping with the Party's founding anti-corruption stand, the applicants were not guilty of policy, financial or criminal transgressions.
COPE HAS SHOWN COMMITMENT TO AN OF COURT SETTLEMENT. The CNC resolved to propose to the Shilowa side that there be an independent arbitration process to speed up the resolution of the impasse related to the Party. In line with that trend of thought, and in response to communication from some members of the Shilowa group, in December 2012 COPE attorneys proposed to the lawyers of the Shilowa-group possible terms for an out of court settlement. None of the above steps received a positive a response notwithstanding inquiries made by COPE's attorneys.
COPE CONTINUES WITH BUILDING ITS STRUCTURES IN READINESS FOR 2014. The Congress of the People is building its structures and growing stronger everyday in preparation for its National Congress this year and the general elections in 2014.
Statement issued by Lyndall Shope- Mafole, Acting General Secretary, Congress of the People, January 20 2013
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