Cope fires Joburg speaker Colleen Makhubele

The Congress of the People (Cope) has fired City of Joburg council speaker Colleen Makhubele.

The announcement was made in Kempton Park on Monday during a media briefing.

Cope also terminated the services of councillor Ofentse Moalusi from the Tshwane Council.

Cope claimed Makhubele “lied” about the organisation being part of the newly-formed coalition pact, the South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA).

[BREAKING NEWS] COPE has terminated the membership of Gauteng Provincial members, Cllr Colleen Makhubele, and Cllr Ofentse Moalusi.

Full statement coming soon. #COPE

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— Congress of the People (@COPE_RSA) November 13, 2023

Cope said although it considered being part SARA, it didn’t give Makhubele the go-ahead to sign the party into the alliance.

“A councillor in Johannesburg Municipality has her name on the posters and poles, in the media and circulation as a member Sara. As such, she has terminated her own membership of the Congress of the People,” EWN reported

“Another councillor in Tshwane, a decision has been made that the person is calling himself the chairperson of Sara and therefore has taken membership of Sara. The constitution of the Congress of the People section 19.3 takes effect, meaning that there is termination of the member of the councillor who is in Tshwane,” the party said.

COPE has fired its JHB Council Speaker Colleen Makhubele. pic.twitter.com/kbX7pDR4Mp

— Azania (@azania1023) November 13, 2023

Cope said correspondence has been forwarded to Makhubele and Moalusi informing them of the decision.

In June, Cope fired its deputy president and MP Willie Madisha, during a meeting held by the faction loyal to party leader Mosiuoa Lekota.

Cope’s secretary for elections Mzwandile Nhleko was also reportedly shown the door along with Madisha.

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