Dexter blasts Cope
Cope official believes embattled party must either close shop, or re-launch
JUST days after the elections, Cope is rocked by another looming leadership spat - this time between its leader Mosiuoa Lekota and his right-hand man, Phillip Dexter.
Dexter is the party's communications chief.
In a 19-page document titled "Coping with the crisis in the Congress of the People: Our responsibility in the National Democratic Revolution", Dexter claims the party is marred by racism and misappropriation of funds.
He also decries the fact that the party has not lived up to its promise of being an alternative to the ANC.
Dexter also alleges that Cope election lists were manipulated in 2009 and this year.
"Currently, there are mayoral and councillor candidates who are not only inappropriate, but no member of the party can tell anyone how they were selected and by whom," Dexter writes.
"Funds in the party are not managed well and are routinely abused.
"While those excesses in Parliament were investigated ... little to nothing has ever been done about the abuse of funds at provincial level and in the party HQ," he writes.
Dexter also accuses the party leadership of abusing staff members.
"Cope has its own Auroras, where staff are not paid yet those in political office have their expenses paid, stay in expensive hotels and generally use resources as if they are their own personal ones."
Dexter is also against the party's current discussion with the DA about coalitions.
He accuses the DA of reinforcing patterns of under-development inherited from the apartheid era.
"It also claims clean governance but has been involved in several corruption scandals," Dexter says.
But a Cope insider says a coalition with the DA in several municipalities is already a "fait accompli".
Sowetan has also been informed that Cope leaders from party headquarters have flown to Cape Town for meetings with Helen Zille today.
Dexter also called for Cope to close shop, or re-launch.
Lekota said he did not see the document as an indication that Dexter wanted to be party president, but added that nobody in Cope would be prevented from contesting elections.
He refused to comment on Dexter's allegations that party lists were fraudulently, and that COPE headquarters had also "abused" funds.
"It is our view that we continue, bound by the task to deepen democracy. Where we have an opportunity to participate in government, we will participate in coalitions by joining other opposition parties" Lekota said.
Mbhazima Shilowa's spokesperson, Sipho Ngwema, said there was nothing new about the document.
"They used the same issues to get rid of Shilowa in the race for the presidency, now Dexter is using the same arguments to launch his campaign against Lekota."
tibza
Cdes COPE cannot cope in South Africa because it was formed by the angry bunch of power hungry people and now it is failing their supporters by going into a coalition with DA who were their worst enemy.....Lekota is my ex premier and the guy cannot run any structure without him being arrogant that is why we removed him at freestate......COPE if you want to survive fire Lekota and relaunch..ANC forever...roar ANC roarReport Abuse
ncagumbuduma
After they perfomed better than expected they want to destroy it all. Cope you are a real joke by forming an alliance with DA.Report Abuse
TupacAmaru
...DA in several municipalities is already a "fait accompli".What's a "fait accompli" batho ba Modimo?
But anyway, a coalition with the DA seems to be the best idea Cope could have come up with.
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asaowe
Anothr infighting in COPE ohhh mymy, close shop as dexter nd join who ever u lykReport Abuse
Memme
COPE members should just come back home and save themselves from embarrasments and bad publicity that is getting every single day - this is what happens when you make decisions while you are angry and power hungry.Report Abuse
Makhosini
May the party rest in peace. The problems are not unique but evident in all parties that form their fundamentals on individuals and their egos. The UDM and the IFP are on course as well, doing their best to run the parties down.Report Abuse
gigolo
TupacAmaruWhat's a "fait accompli" batho ba Modimo?
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It is a irreversible situation and with which other parties will have to live, even if grudgingly. In this instance it simple means it does not matter whether other people object to DA/Cope coallission it seems a done deal.
Makhosini
What goes around comes around, so where was Dexter when Lekota was misusing the funds?
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Olga
Ngena cde Mbazima this is the right time for u to meet with the right man 'Dexter' to relaunch the right Cope that will be able to Cope with the SA politics.Forget about Terror he is indeed the real terror ke ebarassment go baSotho ka o fela.O paletswe ke Free State,Dept of Defence,Chaire of provinces le bo pres ba Cope.Ke sekgakga sa moSotho a ye polaseng ya gagwe finish & klaar.Report Abuse
Mosotho
I am going to launch my own party too. I am sure i can do better that cope. my party name will be "HAREKOPANENG"Report Abuse