On Wednesday, the South African Electoral Commission (IEC) dismissed reports that the People’s Congress had been deregistered as a political party. She responded to the reports, arguing that the party is no longer eligible to run in the 2024 provincial and national elections. The party, plagued by infighting and factionalism, first ran in 2008, but its popularity has waned. There are only two seats in Parliament. Two weeks ago Willie Madisha MP, vice-chairman of the party, and his electoral secretary Mzwandile Hleko were expelled from the party. The two are accused of unconstitutional actions, undermining the party leadership and embezzlement of party funds.
Political party COPE deregistered
Denis Bloem, Cope’s national spokesman, says the party has been deregistered as a company with the Companies Intellectual Property Commission, but is still registered as a political party with the South African Electoral Commission (IEC). Mr. Lekota was the only one who knew that Cope was registered as a company, but Cope was not registered with the IEC.
Following media inquiries, the Election Commission confirms that the People’s Congress (Cope) is registered with the Commission as a political party under section 15(A)(1) of the Election Commission Act 51 of 1996”, the IEC said. It was said that one of the conditions for deregistering a party is that it has participated in the elections and acted as a party. The IEC also added that other criteria leading to the removal of a party are when “that party has changed its bylaws or articles of incorporation and the Commission is satisfied that the change has resulted in the articles of incorporation containing something indicating incitement”. or propagate hatred or violence or that seriously offends any sector of the population based on sex, ethnic origin, race, sex, color, age, religion, disability, culture, belief, conscience or language”.
Cope has been involved in factional battles for many years. Also, a few weeks ago, in the latest drama, Cope’s vice president, Willie Madisha, was thrown out of the party. The party also said that Madisha would be removed from parliament after the expulsion. Cope has had ongoing leadership struggles following party leader Mosiuoe Lekota’s decision to sack Madisha and national elections secretary Mzwandile Hleko.
Madisha, Hleko and Bloem insist that they have the support of various provincial party structures and that the move to remove them from their posts and the organization was illegal.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education