NEW COPE LEADERSHIP VOWS TO UNIFY AND DEFEND COPE
The new leadership collective of the Congress of the people has vowed to earnestly work hard for unity and clean the severely dented image of the organisation.
This week, once again, COPE dominated the headlines for the wrong reasons following the shambolic conference which was held at Heartfelt Family Church in Pretoria. The event, which was marred by disorganisation and chaos, was attended by just more than 2000 delegates from throughout the country. Regrettably, there was no accommodation, sufficient food, toilets or washing facilities organised for them.
Although the Congress of the People is embarrassed and saddened by the shameful incidents associated with its congress in Pretoria this week, the new party leaders take pride in the resilience and fortitude of its members. Faced with the most humiliating conditions and treatment, with old women made to wash in glare of all other delegates, they stayed on until the last minutes as they were resolute in the desire to repair the damaged reputation of their party and craft a progressive way forward.
Unfortunately, when it looked like it was all systems go for orderly proceedings, the former COPE president, Mosiuoa Lekota, instructed his supporters to follow him out of the conference just after his address. A section of the conference mainly from Limpopo and some illegitimate attendees who had been bussed from the Eastern Cape, which had instigated most of the fighting at the conference, subsequently left the congress.
It has since come to our attention that they subsequently went to congregate at Tshwane University and nominated Sello Moloto and Lekota for the presidency of their splinter group. However, Lekota who was uncomfortable with Moloto's challenge stopped the contest.
Although we are unperturbed about what transpired at the university particularly around the aborted leadership contest, this development should be a warning to those who still believe the man who led them out of COPE is a democrat.
The new leadership will move with speed to craft a new vision premised on a comprehensive plan for unity and consolidation of COPE. The party will move to honour and protect our public representatives and staff. Our doors remain open to all those who have already realised the decision to storm out of COPE was ill-informed and not in the interest of COPE.
We will, as lawful custodians of the COPE trademark and name, move with speed to protect our brand and restrain anyone who unlawfully uses our name. Furthermore, we will defend any legal action that is contemplated against the organisation.
ISSUED BY COPE PRESIDENT MBHAZIMA SHILOWA ON BEHALF OF THE CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL SIPHO NGWEMA.
Statement issued by COPE (S), December 18 2010
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