WATCH: This is what really happened at the COPE briefing
Journalist and news cast editor, Christelle du Toit, unpacked what really happened during the COPE media briefing in #NewsExtended.
Earlier this week, COPE deputy president Willy Madisha announced the suspension of the party president, with spokesperson Denis Bloem saying Lekota had been placed on precautionary suspension, not only for sowing divisions but also for alleged corruption and promoting the removal of elected leaders.
Lekota admitted to challenges in the party during his tenure, referring specifically to the unfilled vacancies in the party's secretariat following the resignation of former deputy general secretary Rob Hutchinson, and the death of general secretary Papi Kganare.
READ: ‘Lekota has divided this party’ – Cope’s Dennis Bloem on ‘painful’ scenes
He also announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and had to take some time off while receiving treatment, but is adamant he remains fit to lead the party.
“I’m not frail as you can see, I am quite alive. I am ready to do anything that I can be asked to do,” Lekota said.
Meanwhile, one of the men who interrupted the briefing said Lekota had no authority to convene a press briefing until he had undergone all disciplinary processes related to his suspension.
Police had to be called to the scene.
[BREAKING NEWS] COPE members physically attack each other during their media briefing.
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 31, 2022
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