Former Vhembe Cope chairperson joins DA

The former chairperson of the Congress of the People (Cope) in Vhembe, Geoffrey Tshibvumo, resigned from Cope to join the Democratic Alliance.

Speaking to Limpopo Mirror, the chairperson of the DA in the province, Jacques Smalle, welcomed Tshibvumo in their midst. He said Tshibvumo had left Cope some two months ago. “What we can confirm is that Tshibvumo is a good and democratic leader,” said Smalle “We are looking forward to recruiting more new members,” he said.

According to Smalle, the DA is gaining momentum in the province. “We are not only targeting high-profile people, we also want ordinary people. I believe that we are on the right track,” he said. Smalle said that the DA belonged to the people, not to individuals. “We believe in political morality. We are going to take over the government this year during the municipal elections and we will address the problem of poverty in the country,” he said.

Geoffrey Tshibvumo mentioned that it was no easy decision to make, but he felt that the current leadership of the ruling party did not respect veterans of the struggle against apartheid.

“The ANC is no longer an organisation worthy of people of the calibre of OR Tambo, Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki,” he said and accused the organisation of promoting a culture of anarchy and infighting.

Tshibvumo puts his trust in the DA and expressed the hope that the party will succeed in changing the lives of the people. He will stand in Ward 20 of the Makhado Municipality during the upcoming municipal elections.

“We live in a democratic country and everybody is free to join the political party of their choice,” said the provincial leader of Cope, Patrick Sikhutshi. He confirmed that they had  received a resignation letter from Tshibvumo.

Date:23 June 2016

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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