The CNC of COPE met today in Kempton Park. The meeting deliberated on a number of key issues, following the sabotaged National Elective Congress held in December 2010 and the continued actions of a small faction of the party intent on destroying COPE. The meeting resolved the following;

1. That the coming local government elections should be the priority of the party and all members of COPE are expected to ensure that the necessary measures are taken to enable the party to start its election campaign and ensure that it is a successful one. The CNC appointed Ndzipho Kalipi as the Head of Elections and a team to finalise the manifesto and details of the campaign. A national workshop will be held to prepare the party structures for the campaign.The representatives of COPE at the IEC nationally were also confirmed as follows; Juli Killian, Ndzipho Kalipi and Lyndall Shope-Mafole. Representatives of the party on liaison structures of the IEC at provincial and local level will be appointed by the CWC.

2. That the National Congress of the party will be reconvened once the necessary steps have been taken to stabilize the structures of the party, deal with the actions of those members of the party who have actively worked to destroy the party and its credibility and once the financial situation of the party has been stabilized. This should be as soon as is possible, but will not be before the local government elections. 3. That those members of the CNC elected in the Inaugural Congress of COPE held in Bloemfontein that did not confirm their continued membership of the CNC no longer hold the positions that they held.

3. To suspend from all activities of the party a number of members of the party, pending a disciplinary hearing for these individuals, to take place within the next 14 working days. Among the charges these members will face include; disrupting the sabotaged National Congress, impersonating leadership, undermining the CWC, CNC and the constitution of the party, abusing positions of leadership in the party including in the provinces and chapters of the party and other similar activities. These include the following individuals; Mbhazima Shilowa, Mluleki George, Nikiwe Num, Zale Madonsela, Ebrahim Sawant, Archie Ralo, Malusi Booi, Sam Kwelitha, Mbulelo Ncedane, Moegamet Majiet, Sam Kwelitha, Lolo Mashiane, Nozipho Didiza Ndlela and Sipho Ngwema. Others will be identified in due course and subjected to a disciplinary process.

4. Recognised the leadership of the COPE Youth Movement elected at the inaugural Congress of the Youth Movement held on the 13 December 2010 in Bloemfontein. Ngaba Banga, the Chair of the YM and Abel Rangata the Secretary of the YM were confirmed as representatives of the YM on the CNC.

5. To set up CNC Task Teams to strengthen the interim steering committee of the COPE Women's Movement and to strengthen, set up or consolidate unified structures in all provinces. Task teams will be appointed in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and the Western Cape where provincial congresses were held that did not meet the requirements of the constitution. These task teams will take over the running of the party until properly constituted congresses are held.

6. The leadership of the party was also mandated to deal with a number of administrative issues relating to the representation of the party in Parliament and the Legislatures, the signatories of the party at the banks and the IEC and in terms of compliance with the IEC. These actions are to ensure that no individuals impersonating a leader of the party may engage in activities that would be detrimental to the party.

7. That the leadership of the party in the Free State do not take action against any member of the party or the Provincial Legislature or any legal action in general as they have no powers to do so. As confirmed in the High Court rulings concerning the party in the course of last year, any action in terms of suspending members, removing MPLs, changing lists at the IEC or of a similar nature can only be taken by the CNC of the party. Further action will be taken against leaders in the province who have defied the CNC and the National Office Bearers.

8. The CNC also resolved that individuals that continue to run up debts in the name of COPE, without the power to do so will all be personally held liable for these debts.

Statement issued by Phillip Dexter, COPE(L), January 22 2011

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