Shilowa threatens court action

2010-07-19 08:10

East London - Cope deputy president Mbhazima Shilowa said over the weekend he would take party leader Mosiuoa Lekota to court for stripping him of his duties as chief whip.

He told the Daily Dispatch newspaper on Sunday that he would "approach the high court in the Western Cape as a matter of urgency".

Shilowa was speaking at Vukuhambe Special School in Mdantsane where he celebrated Mandela Day.

But Cope spokesperson Phillip Dexter said they had not received any court papers by Sunday evening.

"He does not know what he is talking about. He has not been removed as chief whip. The party decided that he may not act as accounting officer or a signatory for the duration of the forensic audit," Dexter said.

Lekota has publicly accused Shilowa of mismanaging party funds, leading to a leadership tussle that ended in court, with Lekota walking out victorious.

- SAPA