Political pundits argue that, unlike in other provinces where the Congress of the People (Cope) has campaigned vigorously, the party?s campaigns in KwaZulu-Natal have been lukewarm.

Cope provincial spokesperson Siyanda Mhlongo said reasons for the party?s e almost non-existent campaign were a lack of resources and fear of victimisation among its supporters.

"We strongly believe that we are ready to govern this province. The ANC has lost a lot of support in non-African voters," he said.

"We believe that there are so many people who are silent at moment for fear of victimisation. They will not be intimidated [at] the ballot box," said Mhlongo.

Cope leaders have also failed to cajole any more high profile leaders from other parties to its fold.

On Thursday, the party announced that a lesser known member of the ANC, Mlungisi Ndhlela had joined Cope.

Ndhlela worked as a special adviser to eThekwini Municipality Mayor Obed Mlaba before joining the provincial department?s heritage unit in 2006.

Political analyst Kiru Naidu described Cope in KwaZulu-Natal as nothing but a "damp squib".

"Cope in KZN has not been able to recruit a single leader of prominence or credibility. It has mounted a lousy, if non-existent, campaign. From the look of things, Cope is in line for a major embarrassment in KZN during the elections."

Naidu attributed Cope?s poor performance in the province not to any political party, but to its "hopelessly inept" organisers.

Another political scientist, Velaphi Ndlovu, said the challenge facing Cope was that it did not have the support base of parties such as the Democratic Alliance and IFP.

"What I have noticed is that the DA and IFP are now clinging on their support and Cope does not have that support base."

"Another challenge is that people are crazy about Zuma. The only two provinces where I believe Cope will manage to get a lot of votes are the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape."

Speaking during a press conference in Durban on Thursday, Ndhlela said he had left the ANC because the 100 percent Zuma mentality had destroyed the ANC.

"The tsunami and the 100 percent Zuma mentality has destroyed the ANC and I cannot allow them to destroy our beloved country. Tsunami is destructive by form and content," he said.

He accused ANC provincial secretary Senzo Mchunu of having ordered surveillance to monitor his movements and activities because he was perceived to be a Cope member.

While he claimed that state resources had been used in the process, he could not provide proof of this and acknowledged that the matter had not been reported to the police.