The management paralysis, which has plagued what was as soon as seen as an rising political menace to the governing ANC, has led to the Congress of the People (Cope) being engulfed by the return of the Lekota-Shilowa ghost of disunity, with 4 Gauteng occasion areas calling for a whole overhaul of Cope, whether it is to make any affect in the 2024 nationwide polls.
Fueled by the ANC nationwide govt committee recall from authorities of former president Thabo Mbeki in 2008, Cope was shaped by political heavyweights Mosiuoa Lekota, Mbhazima Shilowa and Mluleki George – gaining 7% votes in the 2009 polls and ending third behind the ANC and the DA.
But little was it anticipated that Lekota and Shilowa would quickly sq. off in a dragging court docket battle to find out the rightful chief of Cope, with the 2013 South Gauteng High Court ruling in 2013 in favour of Lekota.
Years later, instability in Cope has been sparked by the unceremonious removing from workplace of deployed occasion councilor to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council, Ndzipho Khalipa who has been changed by Thomas Mofokeng – initially on the City of Johannesburg Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) candidates’ listing.
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It is the newest transfer – seemingly with the help of Lekota – that has the potential to additional destroy no matter has been left of Cope. Despite deposing a supporting affidavit, endorsing Mofokeng, Lekota has refused to be drawn in the controversy, besides to say: “The matter is extremely vires – past me to get entangled.
“It is a matter that is in the hands of regional and provincial structures in that area.”
It is Lekota’s dealing with of the Khalipa-Mofokeng standoff, which has this week enraged 4 Gauteng Cope areas, calling for the ailing occasion president to step apart.
Addressing a media briefing in Germiston on Tues Cope Ekurhuleni regional secretary Mxolisi Ntobela, referred to as for the expulsion from Cope of Mofokeng “as per the resolution of the congress executive committee of 19 July 2022, for putting the organisation into disrepute by illegally installing himself as councillor in Ekurhuleni”.
“We are further calling for the reinstatement of MMC (member of the mayoral committee) in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council, of comrade Ndzipho Khalipa, with immediate effect,” added Ntobela.
While a number of makes an attempt by The Citizen to acquire remark from Mofokeng haven’t been profitable, Cope nationwide spokesperson Dennis Bloom stated: “The president of Cope Terror Lekota, launched the three Gauteng councillors to the media and the nation at massive – who included comrade Khalipha for Ekurhuleni.
“The controversy in Ekurhuleni is completely pointless – Thomas Mofokeng just isn’t on the IEC listing for Ekurhuleni.
“We can’t perceive how is it attainable for him to switch Ndzipho Khalipa in that council.
“This drawback of Thomas Mofokeng should be addressed by Cope.
“If the party is honest, then Thomas Mofokeng must be removed immediately.”
University of South Africa political science professor, Dirk Kotze, stated the significance of Cope amongst voters has been diminished, with “so little left of the party”.
Maintained Kotze: “Whatever the scenario is – whether or not you might be speaking Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg or in nationwide Parliament – there may be nothing left in the public notion about Cope, these days a really small occasion.
“While in the previous Cope was the strongest in the Northern Cape.
“But now that has been misplaced to the DA and the ANC.
“It additionally misplaced important help in the Free State and in Gauteng, they’re nonetheless half of the DA coalition – however with one or two seats.
“There is now no future for Cope. I feel the Lekota management has made the occasion lose any sense of relevance for most individuals – making it change into a really fringe occasion.
“I cant see any route the occasion goes or any future.
“This Ekurhuleni incident demonstrates to everyone to see Lekota’s autocratic style of leadership. He is a personification of the party, which is a problem – spelling a gloom future for Cope.”
Independent political analyst Dr Ralph Mathekga described the scenario in South Africa’s native authorities politics as being “the worst in us – permanent jostling for positions in a scenario where service delivery is not a factor to consider”.
“Ekurhuleni goes by lots, as a result of it has been uncared for for some time and it’s changing into an fascinating place to point out political energy.
“I feel that’s the reason a lot consideration is transferring there – as to who’s who in Ekurhuleni, neglecting the query of service deliveries.
“The demise of the ANC and untangling of the occasion maintain in Ekurhuleni, is unfortunately making the area unstable and uncovered to unfettered jostling for affect, which persists throughout events.
“Ekurhuleni is now an epitome of hyper competition among parties – resulting in the detriment of stability and functionality.”
-brians@citizen.co.za