COPE, ANC talks may mend split

Informal talks are under way between the ANC and COPE, which could result in the fledgling opposition party being absorbed into the ruling party.

The Sunday Times has established that the talks were led by ANC head of organising and campaigns Fikile Mbalula, and COPE working committee member and spokesman Philip Dexter.

Talks have also taken place between President Jacob Zuma and COPE chief whip Thozamile Botha.

The talks between Mbalula and Dexter are said to be at an advanced stage, with Dexter and a number of prominent COPE members having agreed in principle to return to the ANC as individual members and to push for the entire party to be absorbed into the ANC.

Insiders close to the talks said a spate of resignations had been expected from COPE shortly before the local government elections, but these had been put on hold as several issues were being ironed out.

Dexter is said to have indicated his willingness to return to the ruling party, but had raised concerns about the influence of SACP general-secretary Blade Nzimande, with whom he has frosty relations.

It is understood that Dexter - a former treasurer of the SACP - wants assurances that he will not be subject to the authority of Nzimande if he does go back to the ANC. Dexter was removed as treasurer of the communist party in 2007 after he wrote a document critical of Nzimande's leadership style.

Mbalula, who is vying to become the next secretary-general of the ANC, is de facto leader of the nationalist grouping within the ANC, which hopesto take control of the movement in 2012 and remove current secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, who is also chairman of the SACP.

COPE was formed after its current president, Mosiuoa Lekota, led a split from the ANC in 2008 following the dismissal of former President Thabo Mbeki by the ruling party's national executive committee. The party contested the 2009 elections and garnered 7% of the vote, making it the third-biggest party in parliament, with 30 MPs.

Since then, relations with the ANC have been characterised by deep animosity and mistrust - while a bitter leadership battle within COPE has seen the party unravelling as Lekota and his suspended deputy, Mbhazima Shilowa, fought over the top position.

A number of prominent Shilowa allies, who have since gone back to the ANC, are known to have been in favour of COPE returning to the party en bloc. Lekota is known to favour closer co-operation with the DA instead.

An ANC insider said the ideal was to have convinced COPE leaders to return to the ANC before the recent local government elections.

"During the elections some of them were supposed to have been welcomed, Dexter is one of them but they did not want to do it all at the same time. There are discussions taking place," said the insider who did not want to be named.

Dexter would not confirm or deny that the talks had taken place .

"What I can say is that as COPE we are open to discussions with any like-minded parties in the spirit of defending democracy and constitutionalism. As to what might happen in the future with regards to coalitions, that I cannot predict," he said.

Mbalula would not confirm the talks. He said the only discussions that had taken place were about forming coalitions to govern hung municipalities in the Western Cape.

Botha confirmed that he met Zuma several weeks before the elections at the request of the ANC president. He said the two discussed a number of matters, including closer co-operation and the need to cease hostilities .

"I made it clear that the issue of returning to the ANC was not on the agenda because we are not ready."

But he did not rule out such a move: "We would never close our doors from discussing any issues that the ANC wants to discuss with us. We are not enemies."