ANC defectors create separate political party

DEFECTORS from South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) yesterday launched their new party, naming former defence minister Mosiuoa “Terror” Lekota as leader, shaking up the country’s politics ahead of elections next year.

The Congress of the People (COPE) has branded itself as a non-racial movement and is viewed as a potential threat to the ANC’s 14-year hold on South African politics.

“The history of South Africa will never be the same again,” Lekota told 4,000 delegates at the party launch in Bloemfontein.