The Congress of the People (Cope) is forging ahead with its national elective congress in November in spite of poor preparations, continued squabbles and, importantly, no money to finance the event.
Cope will hold the congress a month later than the previously scheduled September date. The plan to hold leadership elections within four months of the disputed May congress was derailed by endless court battles between factions led by founding president Mosiuoa Lekota and his deputy, Mbhazima Shilowa, both contenders for Cope’s top job.
It is not clear where the party will get the funds to host the November congress but national leaders said this week that a fundraising committee had been set up to raise money.
Mluleki George, the national organiser, expressed concern about funding, a sign that Cope doubts its fundraising abilities following widespread questions about its credibility as an alternative political party.
“Previously, when we needed funds we managed to raise them, though they were limited, but the committee will have to work hard on this one,” George said.
Cope was the darling of many funders when it was founded but its stature has been diminished by public spats linked to the leadership battle. The party still owes St George’s Hotel in Centurion, the venue of the three-day May conference, R2,8-million.
Getting the process going
Phillip Dexter, Cope’s national spokesperson, confirmed that some party members disputed the organisation’s readiness to hold the congress but said it would go ahead regardless. “The job of the congress’ national committee is to make sure that we get the process going,” said Dexter.
Cope branches that were audited before the May congress would comprise a major share of congress delegates but the auditing of additional branches is due to begin. The cut-off date for the establishment of new branches was Monday this week.
Both George and Dexter said that some branches that earlier failed the audit had been re-established and that newly formed branches also needed to be audited.
A team led by Neville Mompati and Thozamile Botha, congress national committee members, will visit the provinces soon to audit branches but, to prevent factional interests from taking over, Cope has roped in ProGroup, an NGO, to assist .
Allegations of the misappropriation of parliamentary funds still hang over Shilowa’s head.
George said that it had taken too long to deal with them. “We told Lekota to bring us proof and report the matter to the police but he didn’t do it. We agreed to audit the finances but they weren’t happy with the outcome. We’re now waiting for the results of the forensic audit,” he said.
A North West MP, who asked not to be named because debates in the party were being stifled and mistrust was growing by the day, said he opposed the holding of the congress in November because a general council, which would assess the state of the organisation, was a more appropriate measure.
“As long as there are leadership squabbles, we won’t achieve anything,” the MP said. “There needs to be stability before we can hold
a congress.”
The MP was also sceptical about an investigation into Shilowa’s alleged abuse of finances.
“You can’t make allegations until you’re sure about your facts. Why is the issue not moving? This situation will lead to some of us sitting back and folding arms because it does not help to be an MP and not have answers for your constituency.”
Thabiso Teffo, a youth leader, said young members were eager to hold the congress. “The conference must come and go so we can start to focus on building the organisation,” he said.
There is talk of behind-the-scenes lobbying for a compromise that would see Lekota elected as national chairperson, a position that would have to be created, and Shilowa as president. But an MP close to the party president said such a compromise was unlikely.