Analyst warns COPE’s future is uncertain after Lekota’s death

Political analyst Reaobaka Kalaote says the future of the Congress of the People (COPE) could be in jeopardy after the death of the party’s leader and co-founder Mosiuoa Lekota.
Lekota passed away last Wednesday at the age of 77 in Johannesburg.
He was laid to rest at the Magengenene Cemetry in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

WATCH | Mosiuoa “Terror” Lekota is laid to rest at Phahameng Cemetery in Bloemfontein as family, comrades, and mourners pay their final respects. pic.twitter.com/zV3Rw5l8kS
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 14, 2026

Kalaote says Lekota broke away from the African National Congress to form COPE because of some elements in the liberation movement.
“Allegedly within Congress of the people, there may still be elements that display that kind of behavior that he really was not for. As you have heard throughout with regards to the memorial services that were held for him in Soweto and Bloemfontein all the speakers are alluding to a hater of corruption really self enriching politics that it seemed to have taken over is something that he needed to do away.”
Special Official Funeral Category 2 of struggle veteran Mosiuoa Lekota

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