By Zuko Komisa
Mosiuoa Lekota, the Leader of the Congress of the People (COPE), has been suspended for his suspected involvement in dividing the party.
Point of View with Phemelo Motene spoke COPE’s deputy president, Willie Madisha, about what led to the suspension.
LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION HERE:
Members of the Gauteng COPE Constituency Congress Committees demanded Lekota’s resignation earlier this month.
This was resolved in a meeting held in July to discuss the party’s difficulties with expansion, reconstruction, and renewal.
Conflicts over leadership are not new to COPE.
Mbhazima Shilowa and Lekota engaged in a disagreement that caused tensions within the party in 2013.
Shilowa has come in defence of Lekota following the announcement of his suspension.
“President Lekota must tell these people that he’s going nowhere. His is an ordained lifetime position. They must wait their turn. What’s the hurry? Willy must wait his turn. They should focus on unity and renewal and rebuild the party to be ready for a successful 2024 elections” wrote Shilowa,
President Lekota must tell these people that he’s going nowhere. His is an ordained lifetime position. They must wait their turn. What’s the hurry? Willy must wait his turn. They should focus on unity and renewal and rebuild the party to be ready for a successful 2024 elections
— Mbhazima Shilowa (@Enghumbhini) August 29, 2022
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Spokesperson for COPE Dennis Bloem says Lekota’s suspension could have been avoided and that he had previously been advised to step down.
“Mr Lekota could have avoided this situation if he was willing to listen to advise, his deputy president comrade Willie Madisha, the secretary for election comrade, Mzwandile Hleko, and myself spoke to President Lekota and advised him to say that he is no longer the energetic “Terror” Lekota. “
:He must consider retiring because his health is also not on his side anymore but Comrade Lekota did not want to listen to this advice.” said Bloem.
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