National
Lekota re-elected as Cope leader─── 16:21 Sat, 11 Jan 2014
Johannesburg - Mosiuoa Lekota was re-elected as Cope president on Saturday during the party's national congress in Boksburg.
Congress of the People spokesperson Johann Abrie said in a statement that over 700 delegates, representing Cope's provincial, youth and regional structures, voted to elect the party's leadership.
Congress of the People spokesperson Johann Abrie said in a statement that over 700 delegates, representing Cope's provincial, youth and regional structures, voted to elect the party's leadership.
Lekota said: "I am honoured to have been elected as president of Cope and I vow to uphold the ideals of the organisation and to do everything in my power to guide it to its rightful place in South African politics.
"Never before has opposition to the ruling party been more necessary in our country, and I will work tirelessly within Cope structures to ensure robust, game-changing opposition."
No one ran against Lekota for the position of party president.
Former Congress of SA Trade Unions president Willie Madisha was elected deputy president, Lyndall Shope-Mafole was elected general secretary, Deidre Carter was elected deputy general secretary and Johnny Huang was elected party treasurer.
"Following an amendment to the party’s constitution, the party resolved to create the position of party chairperson," Abrie said.
Pakes Dikgetsi was elected to fulfil this position.
"We have demonstrated clearly that Cope is a mature organisation that is vibrant and ready to campaign for a better future for all South Africans."
On Friday, the North GautengHigh Court in Pretoria dismissed a last-minute bid by former Congress of the People deputy leader Mbhazima Shilowa and members aligned to him to stop the party's national elective congress from going ahead.
The Shilowa and Lekota factions have been involved in a battle about the leadership of the party since 2010, but the court ruled in favour of Lekota in October.
Shilowa's application for leave to appeal against the October ruling has been set down for hearing on 24 January.
- SAPA
