Today, three more provinces rejected the factional agenda behind the Shilowa Express. Northern Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu Natal decided not to attend the proposed National Congress of COPE. Along with the Free State and Mpumalanga and countless regions and branches of the party and its youth and women's chapters, have rejected the proposed National Congress on the grounds that the party is not ready to hold it. In the Western Cape, a rigged Provincial Congress sat after having agreed to accept that it has no power to take any decisions.

The reasons for this decision not to attend are sound. The entire process for holding this congress has been controlled by a small faction of power hungry, dishonest and rapacious members of the party.

Having been defeated democratically, the onus is now on these individuals to do the honourable thing and stand aside for the honest and loyal party leadership to emerge. In COPE branches we have men and women from all walks of life who can lead the party. These workers, housewives, unemployed youth and people who have been marginalised because of race, class, gender, age or disability must step up to the front and say: "I am available to serve the Congress of the People".

Statement issued by Phillip Dexter, Congress of the People head of communications, May 23 2010

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