THE Nelson Mandela Bay region of Cope will not attend the party's elective conference to be held this weekend.

According to Mzwandile Hote, the regional chairperson, the conference "won't build Cope".

"The regional general council of Cope has decided not to attend the conference."

He said going to the conference was the same as going to the party's destruction.

Hote said only Mbhazima Shilowa's supporters were preparing for the conference.

"We decided that we can only support a policy consultative conference, not an elective conference.

"We are preparing to interdict whoever will go ahead with the conference, and we have instructed our lawyers for that eventuality," said Hote.

He also told Sowetan the Eastern Cape province of Cope had requested an audit of branches.

"No audit of branches has been done. How can you go to a conference in a situation like that?

"We would also like to see Cope policies reaching branches so that members can be well informed about their party," he added.

Meanwhile, Cope deputy president Shilowa addressed a rally of supporters at Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton on Monday.

Another rally held the same day in Kwazakhele was addressed by Cope spokesperson Philip Dexter.

Hote said Shilowa's rally was "not of the mother body but organised by youth who supported the candidacy of the deputy president".