The Congress of the People will win the Eastern Cape province in the April 22 election, party presidential candidate Mvume Dandala said in East London on Thursday.

Dandala, who was speaking to journalists at party headquarters, promised to root out corruption and poor service delivery when the party won power.

"We are convinced of the growth of Cope in the Eastern Cape and that come the 22nd, we will be given a mandate to govern the province."

Dandala said it was unfair to blame the province's problems on his party.

"One cannot underplay that significant numbers of our party are from the ANC. What South Africans need to bear in mind is that we are working as a collective. Together we are creating something new."

He said Cope would work on improving the province's economy, by re-establishing irrigation and dam projects.

He also promised to improve the economy around the province.

"Don't take it as a given that the industrial sectors must remain in Port Elizabeth and East London. Our plan is to modernise the economy of the whole province."

Another senior Cope member, professor Wiseman Nkuhlu also addressing journalists, defended Cope for not running an effective campaign.

"We don't believe that you win the hearts and minds of people through huge rallies. We believe you do that by going door-to-door," said Nkhulu.

Sapa

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