IEC denies Cope deregistration reports
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on Wednesday dismissed reports claiming the Congress of the People had been deregistered as a political party.
It was responding to reports claiming the party was no longer eligible to contest the 2024 national and provincial elections.
The party, beset by factionalism and infighting, first contested elections in 2008, but its popularity waned.
It only has two seats in Parliament.
Two weeks ago, the party’s deputy president and MP Willie Madisha and its elections secretary Mzwandile Hleko were expelled from the party.
The pair were accused of acting in an unconstitutional manner, abusing party funds and undermining party leadership.
Cope’s national spokesperson Dennis Bloem says the party had been de-registered as a company with the Companies Intellectual Property Commission but remains registered as a political party with the IEC.
“We are shocked to learn that Cope was registered as a company, that’s why we are speechless. It’s only Mr Lekota that knew that Cope was registered as a company, but Cope is not deregistered at the IEC.
Cope President Mosioua Lekota could not be reached for comment by Jacaranda FM News.
ALSO READ:
