Tensions between a divided Congress of the People (Cope) party appeared to boil over as a fight broke out between party members.
The physical altercation brought the media briefing in Boksburg to a screeching halt as disgruntled party members demanded party president Mosiuoa Lekota not continue his briefing, reports ENCA.
Watch the video below:
[BREAKING NEWS] COPE members physically attack each other during their media briefing.
Tune into #Newzroom405 for more details. pic.twitter.com/5ZfRYu4nXS
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 31, 2022
This incident has only added to the party’s burdens. In 2009, Cope took 30 seats in the national assembly but now finds itself with two MPs and a dismal number of councillors which has dropped from 269 nationally in 2011 to 13 in 2021.
Lekota made headlines this week after party members accused him of sowing divisions and facilitating corruption within the party. The situation has only been exasperated due to infighting over council seats in Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg.
Cope’s deputy president Willi Madisha and spokesperson Dennis Bloem announced on Monday that it had suspended Lekota for failing to execute his duties, reports Mail and Guardian.
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