COPE wishes Dexter well after resignation

04 January 2012 - 13:19

By Sapa

COPE has wished former spokesman Phillip Dexter well following his resignation from the party to rejoin the ANC.

It was grateful for the role Dexter had played in the Congress of the People's formation, the party said in a statement on Wednesday.

COPE's leadership had become aware that Dexter's "resolve was waning" due to both personal issues as well as the party's problems. He first resigned as head of communications, and later received a leave of absence.

"It was hoped that the leave of absence granted would have afforded Mr Dexter sufficient opportunity to resolve his private matters. Unfortunately, it did not have the impact we had hoped for," the party said.

Dexter had raised concerns regarding matters within COPE, and the party had taken action to address these, it said. On Tuesday, Dexter announced he had rejoined the ANC.

"I still think there are challenges and problems in the ANC. But I am prepared to answer for everything I have said in the past," Dexter said on Tuesday.

COPE was formed by former ANC members Mosiuoa Lekota and Mbhazima Shilowa in 2008 in the wake of the resignation of former president Thabo Mbeki during a split in party support for Mbeki and President Jacob Zuma.

The party has been wracked with infighting between Lekota and Shilowa and their respective factions and has seen its support dwindle after it won around 8% of the vote in the 2009 national election.