East London — African National Congress (ANC) Eastern Cape provincial secretary Sephatho Handi yesterday denied rumours that he would join the Congress of the People (COPE) next month.

He said he had received an SMS doing the rounds in Johannesburg, which said Handi would be joining COPE on its launch date.

"I was having a meeting with the secretary-g eneral (Gwede Mantashe) at Luthuli House when we both received the SMS,"Handi said in an interview with Business Day.

"There is no truth to it. I don't think the author of the SMS recruited me to the ANC and I don't think he will make me leave the ANC," said Handi. He said about nine leaders of the ANC in the province had joined COPE, the latest being former s ocial development MEC Sam Kwelita.

COPE claims to have taken over most branches that belonged to the ANC. Former ANC branch members have told Business Day that most ANC branches existed only in name, a claim Handi denied.

He painted a picture of a strong and growing ANC. He said before going to Polokwane, the ANC had 469 branches in good standing. "We now have 479 branches in good standing ... the ANC in the province is strong."

He, however, admitted there were members who were leaving the party and said the ANC would not stop them. "It is not true that the ANC is forcing people to pledge their loyalty. If a person wants to leave the ANC he can do so."

He said in cases where a member of the party was rumoured to be using party structures to campaign for another party, these members were given a chance to present their side of the story. "Letters have been written to members to clear their names. In our view you can't jump to the disciplinary process. You must prove the allegation first," he said.

The provincial executive committee in the province had disbanded the Amathole regional committee and appointed a regional task team.

The Amathole region is where COPE treasurer Mluleki George enjoys strong support.

In the Buffalo City subregion, which includes East London, 39 ANC branches have realigned themselves out of 45. "Which means they are all in good standing," said Handi. He urged ANC members to be "less concerned" about other parties' activity and focus on ANC work.