The African National Congress have issued a statement in response to the stated intention of COPE to table a vote of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma's leadership at the resumption of Parliament later this week.

The statement, which is set out in full below, seeks to ridicule the second largest opposition party by suggesting that the very notion is "laughable" and is what is to be expected from a "political newcomer without a track record and legacy".

It states further that the President has made a public apology which has been accepted by the people of South Africa save for COPE a party which they consider to be "an insignificant and opportunistic political player and wannabe political opposition party."

It then slates COPE for not at least becoming the official opposition even though it received tons of free advertising prior to the election.

Finally it trashes the Cope leadership of Dandala, Shilowa and Lekota who, according to the statement, are under attack from the youth league and leading the party to oblivion.

Don't hold back guys rather say what you really think.


ANC STATEMENT ON COPE'S SO-CALLED VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE
ZUMA LEADERSHIP

The African National Congress (ANC) has noted the so-called
intention by the Congress of the People (COPE) to table a vote of
no confidence in President Jacob Zuma's leadership when Parliament
resumes this week.

This, coming from a political newcomer without a track record
and legacy, is an absolute laughable matter. On family and private
matters, the President has taken the nation and the country into
confidence by honestly making a public apology. As President of the
country, no amount of leadership equates listening to the concerns
of the South African people.

The ANC, Alliance partners and the people of South Africa have
accepted that apology, except for COPE - an insignificant and
opportunistic political player and wannabe political opposition
party.

If COPE wants us to believe that it is a serious political
player, the fundamental question they should ask themselves is why
- after so much free publicity in the run-up to the 2009 elections
- are they not coming close to becoming the official political
opposition party? Why are they content with using ANC experience to
assist them to come up with a template in setting up their
structures?

What we are less concerned about is the pressure COPE's national
leadership is reeling under from its youth wing. Unlike COPE, we
are no bunch of opportunists and clowns who will exploit family
issues for political gains, if there are any. We are more about
policy than the Dandala, Shilowa and Lekota path to political
disaster and oblivion.


Sapa-RS