Local DA and ANC members defect to Cope

More than 10 members of both the DA and ANC in the West Rand have jumped ship and joined Cope in what they call a wise move.

This was revealed at a press conference held at the Cope offices at the Randfontein Home Affairs building on 19 August.

According to West Rand Regional Organizer, Nicodemus Phake, he together with other Cope representatives welcome all its new members.

“We welcome those who have departed from their parties and decided to join us.

“They have expressed to us that they were fed-up with corruption in their parties and we understand that.

“I believe that we are all working towards a common goal and that is clean governance and transparent leadership, especially here in the West Rand,” says Phake.

According to West Rand Cope leader Solly May, people will flock to their party owing to the incompetence and corruption of the ruling party.

“Randfontein is run by corrupt individuals who lack accountability for their mess.

“We are still waiting for that KPMG report that the Executive Mayor is so reluctant to release.

“We are fed-up with the billing system among other things,” says May.

He adds that there are numerous officials within the Randfontein Local Municipality and the West Rand District Municipality who have already jumped ship but are afraid to come out in the open owing to the fact that they might lose their jobs.

According to the West Rand District Municipality speaker Elias Khumalo, there is no truth to allegations that people will lose their jobs should they decide to jump ship.

“We are living in a democratic country and people should feel free to join the party of their choice.

“Their preference should not be suddenly important simply because they previously supported the ANC,” says Khumalo.