Co-founder and president of Cope dies at 77
The family of Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota, who died during the early hours of this morning, has asked for privacy as they mourn his death.
Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota, the president and co-founder of the Congress of the People (Cope), died in the early hours of this morning at a hospital in Johannesburg.
The party confirmed the 77-year-old’s death in a statement, saying he died after a ‘period of illness’.
“The Lekota family has requested privacy during this difficult time, and the party asks the public and media to respect their wishes. The party will be issuing media statements regularly to inform the nation about developments,” reads the statement.
“On behalf of the leadership, membership and supporters of Cope, we extend our deepest condolences to the Lekota family and all South Africans who mourn this loss.”
Further details regarding memorial arrangements and tributes will be communicated in due course.
The Citizen reported that Lekota had been leading Cope since 2008, when the party was launched following the ANC Polokwane conference in 2007, where then-president Thabo Mbeki lost the party leadership to Jacob Zuma.
He stepped back from active politics after the May 2024 national elections, with the party confirming the decision was due to ill health.
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Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
