The Congress of the people (COPE) has suspended party president Mosiuoa Lekota with immediate effect because of his “lack of strength” and dividing the party.
Speaking at a media briefing in Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg on Monday, Willie Madisha, the deputy president of Cope said Lekota was suspended for dividing the party.
Madisha said an urgent congress national committee (CNC) meeting was held on Sunday which resolved to suspend Lekota. The CNC consists of leaders who were directly elected at the national congress and leaders of all provinces.
“We resolved on the suspension of Cope president Mr Mosiuoa Lekota from his duties as president of Cope due to the role he plays in dividing Cope. The frequent meetings he convenes to form parallel structures in Cope which are made to organise and compete against each other instead of building and uniting the party.”
“He promotes and supports actions against which Cope was formed. Those actions include corruption, removal of elected leaders and representatives such as councillors,” Madisha said.
Madisha said given Lekota’s “lack of energy and strength” the party’s national leadership had advised Lekota to step back.
“Given his health conditions, he is not able to perform what the party and all South Africans expect him to do, which is to attend to the work of parliament,” Madisha said.
He said Lekota was informed about his suspension through a letter written by the party’s acting general secretary.
“We instructed the general secretary to write a letter to him informing him about the resolutions that were adopted by the CNC. We have proof here that indeed the general secretary did do that.”
Madisha said Lekota would not be allowed to take part in the party’s activities until disciplinary proceedings against him were completed.
“Whether he refuses or accepts [the decision to suspend him], there is nothing he can do. The organisation has concluded in that way and the highest decision-making body in between congresses is the CNC which has taken this particular decision,” Madisha said.
Cope is expected to elect its new leadership at its national congress next year.
Source: Sowetan Live, Times Live, The Citizen, IOL, image from Times Live: Xanderleigh Dookey