“Political differences need political solutions. Nobody will be a winner in court, but the Congress of the People (Cope) will be the loser.”
This was said by Cope National Spokesman, Dennis Bloem, in response to the court application issued against him, Deputy President Willie Madisha, and Secretary for Elections, Mzwandile Hleko.
Bloem said the High Court application brought by some members will not be in the best interest of the party. It will “further divide the Party and cause serious damage to the brand of Cope”.
The party has been faced with numerous in-fighting. In August, Bloem and Madisha made a shocking announcement that they decided to suspend party leader and founder, Mosiou Lekota.
During a media briefing, Bloem accused Lekota of promoting and supporting actions against which the party was formed. These include corruption, removal of elected leaders and representatives such as councillors.
Bloem said he was was considering retiring because of his health.
Lekota also hit back by revealing that the three members were the ones suspended by the party.
Speaking on the court application, Bloem said the applicants approached the court to enforce the so-called suspension of three senior leaders.
“We believe political matters must be resolved politically and not by the courts of law. The courts are not there to intervene in our political differences,” said Bloem.
“We believe court decisions will be temporary solutions and that political approach will bring lasting solutions.”
Bloem said they were disturbed by the court action, because they were in talks with Lekota to find ways to bring the two groups together.
“Mr Hleko from our side is in constant contact with Mr Lekota. Their last meetings were on Wednesday, 21 September and Thursday, 22 September. We were totally shocked when we saw on social media this court application from the Lekota group,” he said.
He added that they hope Lekota and those who brought the court application will realise the damage this ongoing infighting has on Cope and above all else, they have a duty to save the party.
“Our members, supporters and the people of the country are looking up to us to solve our differences as mature leaders. We are not enemies. We are comrades of the same party. Cope is bigger than all of us. We owe it to the voters who have put their trust and hope in Cope,” he said.
