Mbombela – The Congress of the People’s (Cope) court battle over leadership is not good for unity, Mpumalanga MPL Zale Madonsela said on Monday.

“Cope’s biggest challenge is suppression of internal democracy through the abuse of the courts,” Madonsela told a Sapa correspondent.

“We are confident of the case we have presented before the court, as we represent a position that is legally sound and politically sensible, but we remain absolutely convinced that the court is a wrong forum to solve political problems.”

This came as the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg was expected to continue hearing the Cope leadership case on Tuesday, between ousted party leader Mbhazima Shilowa and Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota.

In February 2011, Lekota obtained an interim court order recognising him as president of the party and restraining Shilowa from claiming the title of party leader.

Lekota is scheduled to testify on Tuesday.

Madonsela said the party’s congress national committee held a meeting in Johannesburg over the weekend, where it was decided that the party should contest next year’s elections in unity.

“While we await Mr Mosiuoa Lekota’s testimony with great anticipation tomorrow, we remain committed to a permanent political solution,” said Madonsela.

“Cope has called on the court to issue an order for an all inclusive national elective congress to be supervised by a credible independent body.”

At the meeting, Cope’s leadership was urged to finalise a comprehensive election plan to forward to the branches, said Madonsela.

– SAPA