Cope MP joins the DA

Cope MP Nqaba Bhangu has jumped ship to the DA.

In a statement released yesterday [Monday] DA leader in the Eastern Cape Athol Trollip said Bhanga had joined the party as a candidate for parliament in the province.

“Nqaba, like many other voters in the Eastern Cape, used to be part of the ANC. He made the transition to COPE in 2009, and has now joined the DA. Thousands of people all across the country are making the same transition as the DA continues to grow in all communities,” said Trollip.

He described Nqaba as a well-known political activist and leader who was respected across all communities in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Bhanga was formerly a leader in the Congress of South African Students; the deputy chairman of the ANC Youth League in Nelson Mandela Bay; the national general secretary of the South African Students Congress and the national youth president of COPE.

Trollip said Bhanga would lead the DA’s activities in the newly-created Ngqura constituency which includes the regions of Motherwell, New Brighton, Kwazakhele, KwaMagxaki, KwaNoxolo, Zwide, and Blue Water Bay.

“We are building a new majority. People from all walks of life and all political parties are joining the DA.

“They are joining the DA, because there is a growing recognition that we can stop corruption, create jobs and restore Madiba’s vision of economic opportunity for all,” said Trollip.

Bhanga and Cope were not immediately available for comment.