COPE conference set to continue despite “leadership struggles”

By Ofentse Mokae
22 May 2010

The first elective conference of the 17 month-old Congress of the People is set to continue despite leadership battles in the party.

The conference scheduled to take place in Pretoria at the end of next week has already secured its venue.

The leadership struggle lies with the party’s founding leaders former ANC chair now COPE President Mosioua Lekota and former Gauteng Premier now party deputy President Mbhazima Shilowa.

Media reports say Shilowa along with two Congress National Committee (CNC) members and another party staffer signed a guarantee to take responsibility of the hotel bill where the conference will be held.

It is reported that this was done on the insistence of the hotel as uncertainty prevailed on whether the conference will sit.

According to reports the party paid a R1 million deposit while the rest of the bill will be settled on Monday.

It is understood that two Pretoria based hotels will be used for the conference one for the accommodation of the 2 000 expected delegates.

Shilowa and his supporters are determined the conference will go ahead, while Lekota and his allies are adamant that it should be postponed until disputes over accreditation and allegations of financial mismanagement are resolved.

Meanwhile Lekota is scheduled to address a party meeting in Cape Town’ Langa township at the John Ngwevela Community Hall this afternoon.

It was not immediately confirmed what Lekota will address.

The conference is set to cost the party a tone of R8.5 million.

Lekota and Shilowa are contesting the party Presidency position.