The Congress of the People (COPE) in Gauteng Interim Provincial Committee has suspended Colleen Makhubele from council duties for siding with the opposition to remove Johannesburg City Speaker Vasco da Gama.
Da Gama was ousted in a no-confidence vote at the beginning of this month (1 September 2022).
COPE said its Gauteng Interim Provincial Committee met on 10 September 2022 and resolved to suspend Makhubele “with immediate effect”.
Makhubele who is the Chair of Chairs of the City of Johannesburg made it public that she was going against her party and voting with “her conscience” on the matter.
She now faces a disciplinary hearing.
Explaining the conditions of her suspension, COPE informed Makhubele by letter that: “You are suspended from all council duties and activities
“You may not represent the Congress of the People (COPE) at any platform including doing media interviews and commenting on any public platform.
“You will be informed within seven working days of the process of the disciplinary hearing.”
COPE is part of the Democratic Alliance-led coalition government running the City of Johannesburg.
The notice of suspension was signed by Mxolisi Ntobela, COPE Provincial Interim Committee Co-ordinator.
However, Makhubele suggested Ntobela had jumped the gun by announcing her suspension, which she said was still under discussion.
It appears the struggle between two factions within COPE has not been resolved.
One faction led by COPE deputy President Willie Madisha represented by Dennis Bloem insists the suspension is invalid.
The other faction led by party president Mosiuoa Lekota represented by Ntobela is claiming the authority to suspend Makhubele.
Both Lekota and Madisha recently “suspended” each other from COPE, which they all still claim to lead.
In a tweet, Makhubele, posted: “COPE Joburg Region dismisses reports of Colleen Makhubele’s suspension by “illegitimate, unconstitutional” structure.
See COPE letters below suspending Makhubele and dismissing the suspension.
