A little drama played out during a recent meeting of COPE (Congress of the People), and members of the party were recorded on video fighting each other. The clips have since gone viral on Mzansi Twitter.
In one of the clips, an unidentified member of COPE has been tossed on the floor, and his assailant fled. The member picked himself up from the floor and pursued the werey. The video transitioned to the scene where another COPE member is pushing another party member in the face while some other Cope members watch in confusion.
[BREAKING NEWS] COPE members physically attack each other during their media briefing.
Tune into #Newzroom405 for more details. pic.twitter.com/5ZfRYu4nXS
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 31, 2022
Takalane Raidani who says he's representing the Youth Movement says Lekota won't finish his term. A member from the party asks him which conference was he elected in? #COPEpic.twitter.com/wQ5eYGB2DK
— Nomazima Nkosi (@Zima_B_Nkosi) August 31, 2022
COPE is a breakaway political party. It was formerly part of the ruling African National Congress (ANC). The party was founded by former ANC members Mbhazima Shilowa, Mluleki George and Mosiuoa Lekota to contest the 2009 general election.
Since its founding, though, it has not made as much impact as the ruling party.
It’s unclear what exactly provoked the conflict between members of COPE. However, the video of members fighting each on has elicited mixed feelings online. Some tweeps wondered if that was how the party would be ruling South Africa when elected.
The drama amused some South Africans, and they did not hesitate to use memes and laughing emojis to show how they felt about the situation.
