Reports that Governor of the South African Reserve Bank Tito Mboweni is going to become the leader of the Congress of the People (Cope), the faction that has broken away from the ANC, have been denied by Cope officials.
The same applies to Finance Minister Trevor Manuel and former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
The report surfaced in the Sunday Times, although it was not given much prominence — it was placed down page, below the fold, on an inside news page.
”There is no substance to the report,” said Palesa Morudu, of Cope, on Monday. ”It is pure speculation. They are not even members of Cope.”
She added that the party will be picking its leaders at the coming weekend conference, which will launch the party in Bloemfontein.
The Reserve Bank declined to make any comment on behalf of Mboweni.
A less-reserved member of Cope, who wanted not to be named, said that although there was no confirmation to be given, ”anything is possible”. — I-Net Bridge