Serious divisions in KZN Cope

Cope leaders in KwaZulu-Natal have refused to leave their positions despite votes of no confidence passed against them by six of the nine regions.

"We don't care about it [the vote of no confidence]. The people who attended that illegal meeting have been expelled,” said Congress of the People provincial secretary Philip Mhlongo.

Six of the nine Cope provincial districts met in Pietermaritzburg last week and passed a vote of no confidence in provincial leaders.

The districts also elected a task team to lead the party until an elective conference could be convened to choose new leaders.

The current leaders were accused of failing to make the party grow, poor leadership and mismanaging funds.

“We have decided to pass the vote of no confidence because we are not happy with the performance of our leaders. They have failed the party,” said Lundi Mtatambi of the Sisonke region.

He said Cope members were in the dark about what was going on in the branches.

“We are doing this for the good of our party. Cope needs to pull up its socks if it wants to do well during the local government elections next year,” he said.

Leaders of Umgungundlovu, uThukela, Zululand and Ugu districts confirmed their support for the vote of no confidence.

“We definitely support it. They must leave their positions and allow members to elect new leaders,” said Khumbulani Nene of Umgungundlovu district.

Mtatambi said they had written a letter to Cope's national leadership informing them about the problems and their decision to pass the vote of no confidence.

He said the task team was fully behind Terror Lekota to continue leading Cope. Lekota was involved in a bitter battle for the party's top post with his deputy Mbhazima Shilowa who was removed as the party's parliamentary Chief Whip following allegations that he embezzled funds.

It was reported on Monday Shilowa would make himself available to lead Cope when the party elects new leaders next month.

Cope national leaders were not immediately available to comment on the KwaZulu-Natal vote of no confidence.