Cope suspends Limpopo chairperson for ‘misappropriation of finances’

The Congress of the People (COPE) has suspended Limpopo provincial chairperson Patrick Sikhutshi following an investigation into the misappropriation of party funds.

“Honouring our promises to the people of South Africa, the party decided, at its Congress National Committee (CNC) meeting held over the past weekend, to suspend the Chairperson of the Limpopo province and Member of Limpopo Legislature, Mr Patrick Sikhutshi with immediate effect pending further investigations into misappropriation of finances and bringing the name of the party into disrepute,” said the party in a statement.

The party’s Congress Executive Committee (CEC), will meet with its provincial and regional structures in Limpopo to formally announce the decision and to discuss a way forward.

COPE said it was forced to make this decision as it had promised to the public in its election manifestos to ensure accountability and transparency.

“It was last year when COPE President, Mosiuoa Lekota, stood before thousands of community members and promised that COPE would not tolerate any corruption and vowed to take harsh action against those guilty of it.

“The Congress of the People (COPE) will not tolerate corruption, personal greed and the violation of the values of the constitution of our land,” it said in a statement.