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DRAMA: Mosioua Lekota

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• Cope about set for full fade-out?

There is also confusion over the status of provincial caucus leader Ndzipho Kalipa. He was summarily suspended and later reinstated by Cope's central national committee.

Last week Cope suspended Trudie Prinsloo, an office manager in the Gauteng legislature. She is being accused of having worked as a "mole" for another party.

Prinsloo will face a disciplinary hearing on May 21 to answer charges of gross misconduct, insubordination as well as financial mismanagement and maladministration.

The charges were brought by the provincial caucus.

Prinsloo's sister - Cope MPL Hermene Koorts - was also suspended by the provincial executive for failing to submit a financial report to the province as well as bringing the party into disrepute.

Another prominent member - Lyndall Mafole-Shope - was suspended and barred from participating in party meetings for "divisive tendencies within the party" and "willful insubordination or disobedience to the province".

Party insiders say the suspensions are a power play between warring factions.

Cope seems to be once more embroiled in factional battles that played themselves out when co-founders Mosioua Lekota and Mbhazima Shilowa locked horns over the leadership of the party.

Kalipa was suspended by the central working committee (CWC), following a recommendation by member of parliament Dennis Bloem. However, that suspension was overturned by the central national committee (CNC).

Cope provincial leader Willie Madisha yesterday told Sowetan that Kalipa was still suspended, something the latter denied. "It is true that he is suspended."

Party national spokesman Buks Mahlangu confirmed the suspension and reinstatement, at a CNC meeting believed to have been held on April 6. "It was not a suspension per se but a recommendation, and it was lifted after it was discovered that not all avenues were explored when the decision was made."

Mahlangu said the CWC had no powers to suspend Kalipa.

Word of Kalipa's suspension - believed to have been influenced by Lekota - comes as a surprise because the two were former allies.

It is understood that Kalipa and Lekota fell out after Kalipa questioned Lekota about R98000 in party funds that found its way into his account.

Cope treasurer Hilda Ndude was expelled after having been found to have co-signed documents - along with Lekota - authorising payments to Lekota's account.

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Mon May 20 14:38:38 SAST 2013 ::

May 3, 2012

Makhosini0408

OK, the disgruntled circus is in town again.
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May 3, 2012

MorenaWaPolelo

Can someone please remind me what is this COPE thing all about an who is Lekota?
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May 3, 2012

Iwe

Oh my poor COPE!
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May 3, 2012

imthegreatest

@ MorenaWaPolelo
Dont worry, it is not something serious.
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May 3, 2012

mhlupheki

thats good news let them fight and fight and fight
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May 3, 2012

MorenaWaPolelo

@imthegreatest
Ok thanks!
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May 3, 2012

KhanyiMbau_fanciesme

The tragedy of this is that it also includes a woman who used to be one of the best public servants in the New SA, Lyndall Shope Mafole. From an outstanding councillor at the original media regulator IBA, which gave us most of the radio stations we hear today, to a very competent DG in the Communications Dept, her stock fell when her loyalty to a deranged Thabo Mbeki trumped common sense and then she followed the fools to start Cope. Its now clear she was never cut for the nonsense of dirty politics. She needs to dust herself off, quit the game and go and serve her people again without political affiliation. Ousi Lyndall, you are more talented than the riff raff that wants to control your destiny. Step out, write a book, plant a garden, set up a business, teach the kids good values...but whatever you do, move away from the dark night of Cope. Please.
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May 3, 2012

Asthecrowflies

What, COPE is this thing still there?
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May 3, 2012

Iwe

I still have hope with my COPE.
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May 3, 2012

imthegreatest

@ Iwe
Even AWB still hope that one day they will rule SA with terrblanche as the president. you both have something in common - believing in the dead.
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