Congress of the People's (Cope’s) national committee (CNC), its highest decision-making body, has placed party President Mosiuoa Lekota on precautionary suspension.

The announcement was made by Cope's deputy president, Willie Madisha, during a media briefing on Monday in Kempton Park.

Reasons cited for Lekota's suspension include the role he played in dividing the party and the meetings he convenes to form parallel structures within Cope.

Lekota has been Cope's president since 2008.