By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Congress of the People (Cope) has dismissed claims that suggest that Colleen Makhubele, who is also the Speaker of the Joburg city council, has been fired from the organisation.
The party’s national chairperson, Teboho Lewata was reacting to a letter purportedly informing Makhubele, of her suspension, which has been doing the rounds on social media.
The letter, addressed to the Electoral Commission (IEC), is supposedly signed by Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota.
It accuses Makhubele of bringing the organisation into disrepute through her conduct.
Lewata says the letter was fraudulently signed by an unidentified individual.
“No, Colleen Makhubele was not suspended as the author of the letter fraudulently put the signature of the party President Mosiuoa Lekota.”
Makhubele also labelled the letter as “fake news”.
Last week, Makhubele was criticised for submitting a doctor’s note for a City of Johannesburg meeting, only to attend a council meeting in Tshwane.
Lewata says they have opened a criminal case.
“A criminal case was opened by Cope president and myself at the Midrand police station. There are people who are pursuing their personal agendas using forged signatures of Cope’s president and investigations are ongoing to find those people.”
Despite this, he said that the party was set to hold a meeting to discuss the recent conduct of its Gauteng members.