Statement of the Congress of the People following an extended Congress National Committee held on the 06th July 2013 _ Johannesburg. 8TH July 2013 To all media for immediate release The National Leadership of the Congress of the People held its extended Congress National Committee meeting on the 6th of July 2013 to consider its elections readiness and finalise preparations for the South Gauteng High Court trial taking place from the 9th to 19th July 2013 in which Mr. Lekota will take the stand and try to convince court that it should declare him President of the organisation against the wishes and will of the members. The Extended CNC declared that it shall do everything possible to ensure that the Congress of the People fights the coming elections as a united single body. In this regard, the following constitutes some of the key decisions taken over the weekend. Leadership of Cope re-affirmed its position that political matters must remain with political platforms and that no court legitimise leadership of a political party but may only legalise it. In this regard, the call for an All Inclusive National Elective Congress order by court and supervised by a credible independent body, remains a firm position of the Congress of the People. The meeting further welcomed those within the Lekota group who now saw what Cope said about Mr Lekota more than two years. Let them join Cope in court and secure victory for the organisation. The National Leadership has been mandated to immediately enter into formal discussions with other parties and the other social forces with intensions to establish common ground on the basis of which a possibility of a common platform to contest the 2014 elections can be arrived at. This must create a national platform to discuss the vision of the people of South Africa, the Freedom Chatter and find ways to mobilise society around that vision in the context of current material conditions confronting our society guided by the following key principles and objectives. SOUTH AFRICAN MUST RECLAIM THEIR FREEDOM •Respect for DEMOCRACY – this means democracy must be enjoyed by all citizens irrespective of the views they hold on any matter. Currently we are witnessing privatisation of democracy for only those who are members of the ruling party and members of a particular faction within the ruling party. Job opportunities and many other rights are selectively for people who are closer to the ruling clique within the ruling party. •Fighting POVERTY – this means every economic and or social developmental programme must directly result in eradication of poverty. •EDUCATION AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT – this means a deliberate investment of education and development of requisite skills should be high in the agenda. The above principles shall be supported by the following objectives. •Inspiring citizens to build a better South Africa •Electing leaders who are honest servants of the people •To fight for a government of the people - enable people to directly elect their most senior representatives, namely, the President, Premiers and Mayors, to enhance accountability of all public office-bearers and improve public participation in all forms of governance; •To Fearlessly defend the constitution and uphold the rule of law •Respect for the values and the principles of the South African people •Growing the economy and increasing productivity to create decent work •Broadening people’s participation in the economy ensuring sustainable development •Fighting poverty and expanding care for the vulnerable •Improving the quality of health care •Improving service delivery •Advancing the African agenda and creating a better world The meeting re-emphasised that the solution to the current leadership dualism in Cope does not lie with court but the members of the Congress of the People. Using article 2.9 of the Bloemfontein Constitution which calls for an elective Congress in two years time from 2008, this leadership makes a call to all members to ready themselves for such a congress. In less than a month period the leadership will release its comprehensive elections plan which is already under implementation in various areas of the country. WE REMAIN SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE. END Zale Madonsela – COPE Deputy President – 082 710 9215.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 12:35:18 +0000
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