COPE claims defection coup

IN a massive drive to prove that COPE is still relevant and a force to be reckoned with, party leaders recruited a host of new members, reportedly 60, from the DA's newly established Nelson Mandela Bay Ngqura constituency.

Among those who have been lured to join COPE – which performed dismally in the May 7 general election – was Thembelani Kondile, who claimed he was the DA's Ngqura constituency manager and would bring along with him 114 DA members.

If he succeeds, this could be a blow to the DA's efforts to obtain more votes in the Bay's townships.

The Ngqura constituency, which comprises Motherwell, New Brighton, Kwazakhele, KwaMagxaki, KwaNoxolo, Zwide and Bluewater Bay, was established in March when former COPE MP Nqaba Bhanga crossed over to the DA.

Yesterday, a small crowd of COPE members gathered in Uitenhage's Ward 42, where the party embarked on its by-elections campaign and showed off its ward councillor candidates – Mzwandile Hote and Nosimo Ngxoweni for wards 42 and 46, respectively.

The by-elections will be held on November 5.

COPE regional chairman Khwezi Ntshanyana claimed that 60 members had crossed the floor from the DA, but due to a mix-up with the venue only a handful turned up. - Rochelle de Kock