The resignation of the Congres of the People's (Cope's) Parliamentary leader Mvume Dandala will be discussed at a meeting of the party's congress national committee (CNC) this week, party spokesperson Phillip Dexter said on Monday.

He said that the letter from Dandala indicated that he was resigning as a member of Parliament and from the party's CNC and congress working committee, but that he would remain a member of the party.

"The next available date for the leadership to meet is Friday, the working committee did not meet on Monday," Dexter said.

Dandala's replacement in Parliament was likely to form part of Friday's talks.

The resignation of Dandala, who led the party in Parliament, was prompted by court action following a party congress last month.

Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota went to court to prevent elections taking place at the party congress.

However, a vote of no confidence in him was taken and his deputy Mbhazima Shilowa was installed as acting president. This was later overturned by the High Court in Johannesburg.

The party remained divided despite Lekota's return to the helm.

The court has ordered the party to defer election for four months.