Johannesburg - Congress of the People leader Mosiuoa Lekota has said the party is broke but will still be victorious at this year's general election, City Press reported on Sunday.
“We have no money. We are in dire straits. We're struggling, but we are resolute. Cope will win this election with human capital,” Lekota was quoted as saying.
Lekota had been involved in a leadership dispute with former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa for a number of years. The High Court in Johannesburg ruled in October that Lekota was the party's rightful leader.
Lekota told the newspaper that the leadership battle had discouraged people from joining the party. He however felt it could become a “political machine to be reckoned with”.
In the 2009 general elections the party received 1.3 million votes.
Wits University vice chancellor Prof Adam Habib told the newspaper Cope's legitimacy as a viable opposition had been destroyed.
“They have no hope in hell of ever getting those votes again.” -Sapa