The court has today vindicated democracy, fairness and transparency. Justice has been served. By ruling that an unrepresentative, rigged meeting did not have the right to arrogate powers to itself to serve a narrow, factional agenda, the court has ensured that members of COPE alone in their entirety, have the right to elect or recall their leaders though upholding the constitution of the party.

COPE was founded in defense of our countries constitution, democracy and the rule of law. COPE is against corruption, elitism and violence as a method to achieve political objectives. When we as leaders of COPE saw these ugly tendencies becoming prevalent in the party, we had to act. When all avenues in the party were closed to us, we resorted to the courts and we have been vindicated.

Now all members of the party and its leaders in particular must put this ugly chapter behind us. Ours is now to work for unity, healing and reconciliation. There must be no grudges born, no witch-hunting and no driving of members who have made mistakes out of the party.

A key task we have is to restore democracy to our structures, trust between members of the party and public confidence in COPE. We are committed to do that, while at the same time ensuring accountability for actions that have been taken, particularly in relation to the finances of the party which have yet to be properly accounted for.

From here we will go out and build branches so that all members of the party can participate in determining policy, electing leaders and implementing the program of the part in the proper way.

Statement issued by Mosiuoa Lekota, COPE president, June 6 2010

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