Founder’s claim justified
Mosiuoa Lekota is the legitimate leader of the troubled Congress of the People (Cope) as per the Court's ruling.
NELSPRUIT – Founder and president of the Congress of the People (COPE),
Mr Mosiuoa Lekota, has been declared the legitimate leader of this troubled
movement.
According to a statement released by COPE’s spokesman, Mr JJ Abrie,
the High Court in Johannesburg ruled that Lekota was the rightful leader.
He said acting Judge Craig Watt-Pringle ruled that the Congress of the People’s
leadership, led by Lekota, and elected during its inaugural congress in
Bloemfontein in 2008 was the party’s only legitimate leadership.
“The ruling further confirms the conclusion that the aborted first national congress of December 2010, was not quorate and therefore could not be recognised, let alone elect a new leadership for the party,” he said.
The leadership battle started when Lekota expelled Mr Mbhazima Shilowa after an internal disciplinary hearing found him guilty of mismanaging the party’s parliamentary funds.
The COPE Women’s League earlier called for peace and calm, no matter who won the leadership battle.
