This was confirmed by a senior Cope official who asked not to be named.

Earlier, Eyewitness radio news reported Odendaal as having said she had handed her resignation letter to Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota and not those leading the party in Parliament.

Odendaal said she tendered her resignation at the Speaker's office, but refused to divulge the exact reasons for her departure.

It is not yet clear whether she has resigned from Cope or just as an MP.

Sapa

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