Congress of the People (Cope) president Mosiuoa Lekota will seek to be sworn in as an MP on Wednesday following a court ruling clearing the way for him to take up a seat in the National Assembly.
Western Cape High Court Judge Essa Moosa ruled on Wednesday that a July 2 decision by Cope’s congress national committee (CNC) to send Lekota to Parliament was “lawful and of full force and effect”.
Lekota was to replace Cope’s former parliamentary leader, Mvume Dandala.
Moosa also ruled that a CNC decision to remove Mbhazima Shilowa as Cope’s chief whip in the National Assembly was “unlawful and of no force and effect”.
He said the same of a CNC move to oust administrative whip Lolo Mashiane.
Lekota’s spokesperson, Philip Dexter, said shortly after the ruling that Lekota would head for Parliament where he was expected to be sworn in. — Sapa