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| ARTICLE | South Africa / Politics / Election 2009 / ... |
Eleven COPE members join ANC
Aziz HartleyApril 02 2009 at 06:33AM
In a day of musical chairs, 11 COPE members have rejoined the ANC, a number of DA members have joined COPE, and both the ANC and COPE have claimed they have the support of the Independent Civics Association of SA for the elections.
And Icosa strongman, Beaufort West Mayor Truman Prince, says he will support the ANC.
The ANC expelled him for bringing the organisation into disrepute.
The 11 COPE members - who included Nizam Ismail, the party's interim treasurer in the Boland, and former Overberg mayor J J January - claimed they represented hundreds of disgruntled members ready to join the ANC.
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Public meetings in Worcester on Thursday night and in Parkwood next Tuesday would prove this, they said.
Lack of transparency over COPE's candidates list was among the reasons for their leaving, they said.
Chris Nissen, leader of the ANC's provincial elections team, said the 11 had not been made any offers and had returned "home" of their own free will.
He knew nothing of a COPE accusation that the ANC tried to bribe COPE members to return.
Such actions would not be tolerated, he said.
"Under no circumstances will we allow that," Nissen said.
Marius Fransman, MEC for Health, said about 80 percent of Icosa branches supported the ANC.
The exceptions were in Kannaland, where Icosa president Jeffrey Donson was mayor.
Earlier, COPE's candidate for premier, Allan Boesak, said 800 DA members had joined his party and Icosa's national leadership had decided to back COPE.
"We are indeed humbled that a whole organisation has decided to support us at this crucial time in the history of South Africa," he said.
"We've always said that the 2009 elections are going to be watershed elections.
"For the first time people in this province are going to have a real choice on election day - not just a decision between two possibilities, the ANC or the DA, but that they can have a party that can realistically challenge the ANC and DA."
Of the COPE members who had rejoined the ANC, Boesak said: "It's absolutely their choice.
- This article was originally published on page 1 of Cape Times on April 02, 2009
Showing page 1 of 3 comment pages, 27 total comments
44 Weeks ago Mkhathini wrote :
I respect Trueman Prince, this guy was expelled from the movement and he understands how the movement operates even when is is no longer there. this is a true politician. I think we need more truthful politicians who will argue based on facts rather than bitterness. I salute the man and believes he is a great community leader and not an opportunist. You must remember that this is the man who won municipal elections and defeated ANC, DA and all parties in his region. Even though he is no longer in the ANC but he understands that ANC represents the people's views. ViVa ANC!!!
44 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
Rome was not build in on day it took years and years to build it no wonder its so powerfull and beuitiful.ANC is the mother of this very democracy that we are starting to enjoy after 300 years of hovac and dehumanization.How many days or weeks ,months or years for that matter did it took my beloved cope leaders to build this idea with no bedrock.Will it bring anything new or will it bring privillages to some specific people .Viva Congolose vote ANC.
44 Weeks ago Hatrivo Gazozo wrote :
Now I am happy people start to believe in the Bible and our lives today are guided by that. You defect from home ...we keep our doors open...you revert back we welcome you. ANC is the future no one will stop us. Even Terror Lekota will come back...we will give him an Ambassador position to go and cool his anger and ego abraod. Congress of confussed people...will not succeed with their "still born plot to assassinate the ANC" ANC is like Oxygen to human kind. Soon Mr Zuma will be a free man
44 Weeks ago JOMO wrote :
I think COPE it must learn for what happened to IFP but it borring us cause it used Nelson Mandelo for campaign is corruption why?
44 Weeks ago Patrick wrote :
The following article may put the elections into some perspective http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1165473/He-wives-faced-783-countscorruption-
PETER-HITCHENS-South-Africas-president.html. Democracy in most 3rd World countries is just a "dumbocracy" - ruled by the choice of the unemployed and uneducated.
PETER-HITCHENS-South-Africas-president.html. Democracy in most 3rd World countries is just a "dumbocracy" - ruled by the choice of the unemployed and uneducated.
44 Weeks ago Ps Vusi Dube wrote :
I still wonder what is new that COPE has to offer! ANC is the home for all and everytime cope cannoy say a thing without ANC and what do they think of that. Guys we must be serious about our contry!!!!
Looking towards the election on the 22 April and Anc will make more difference!
Ps Vusi Dube
Looking towards the election on the 22 April and Anc will make more difference!
Ps Vusi Dube
44 Weeks ago Sonwabile Notshikila (MUT) wrote :
When the congress of the people in Clipton adopted the clause in the Freedom Charter which says "People (ANC) shall govern" had ANC in their minds. Its just that word 'ANC' between word 'people' and 'shall' was in white ink on a white paper strategically so. They might join any party Coke, Coffee or COnfussion of the PEople or even Die Alive (DA). As long as this clause not ammended ANC will remain governing. Anyway ANC is one movement with a sea character. When it starts to be dirty it cleans itself. Once you are commited to be clean again, we welcome you with open arms. "Working together we can do more"
44 Weeks ago SHARON @ COPE KZN wrote :
The ANC has fought for our Democracy BUT Democracy alone cannot feed a hungry homeless child or our nation.
It is time now that South Africans need to stand up and be heard, join the CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE, One voice by the people and for the people. Viva COPE ! Viva !
It is time now that South Africans need to stand up and be heard, join the CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE, One voice by the people and for the people. Viva COPE ! Viva !
44 Weeks ago Airwolf wrote :
It is hysterical listening to all these headless chickens running around giving all their politically correct reasons as to why they are going back to the ANC, or Cope, or whatever. They pretend to have all these noble ideals and reasons usually referring to their "concerns" for "the people" Meanwhile we all know that they are just trying to feather their own nests. They are all in a fluster as to where they can secure the most comfortable ride. If chucked out onto the streets to fend for themselves, most would not stand a chance!
44 Weeks ago Dr "Vote right first time" wrote :
A stands for anarchy
N stands for nepotism
C stands for coorruption
so who will u vote for?
N stands for nepotism
C stands for coorruption
so who will u vote for?
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