A FORMER ANC MP who was convicted of theft in the Travelgate scandal is set to be appointed Cope's new parliamentary office manager.

According to documents seen by Sowetan, Cope's deputy president Mbhazima Shilowa will appoint Lewele Modisenyane next week.

Modisenyane pleaded guilty to theft of R45000 in a 2006 plea bargain between the national prosecuting authority and 23 MPs accused of travel voucher fraud.

He was sentenced to a fine of R25000 or three years imprisonment and a further five years imprisonment suspended conditionally for five years.

Shilowa confirmed that Modisenyane had been interviewed but would not say if he had been selected for the job.

"Anyone who is going to be appointed has a signed letter of appointment from me," he told Sowetan.

Shilowa said the preferred candidate's name was still to be approved by the political committee, made up of Cope general secretary Charlotte Lobe, parliamentary leader Mvume Dandala and president Mosiuoa Lekota. - Anna Majavu