In a sudden announcement before the municipal elections, Cope NW secretary of communications, Kenneth Maduna has joined the DA and announced his resignation from the party, Tlokwe City Council and as the party’s secretary of communications.
The mayoral spokesperson, Victor Boqo says Maduna’s announcement was confirmed in Wednesday’s ordinary council meeting.
“The speaker, Barei Segotso-Mosiane has announced that Cope has withdrawn the membership of Mr Kenny Maduna. Consequently, his membership of the municipal council has been terminated and he may no longer sit in council meetings with effect from this morning. Maduna has been the ward 19 councillor for Cope since the local government elections of 2011,” he said.
Boqo says the speaker received a letter from Cope’s general secretary, Lyndall Shope-Mafole on 5 July 2016, stating that: “Maduna’s membership with the party was terminated with immediate effect in terms of section 19.4 of Cope’s constitution for being on the election candidate list or being a member of another political party.
In a farewell message to Cope and Tlokwe, Maduna said: “I pride myself in having been counted among a great team of social democrats that has graced this political space and as a member of Tlokwe City Council”. “I will forever be grateful for all the lessons and accomplishments Cope has afforded me as its servant and leader. I wish to leave my Cope leadership role and as a member on good terms with no animosity, with effect from 4 July 2016. I wish the leadership of Cope well at a national and provincial level and the best of luck in campaigning and winning registered wards across the country,” he said.