Leadership contests in the Congress of the People (Cope) are not divisions, but rather "internal party renewal", the party said on Monday.

It further called for a document to be developed outlining protocol around "leadership questions" in the party, according to a statement issued after a meeting of its top brass over the weekend.

"Leadership contests do not constitute divisions, but a democratic process of internal party renewal."

Details about the effects of a reported leadership battle between Cope president Terror Lekota and his first deputy, Mbhazima Shilowa, were laid bare in a leaked internal memorandum compiled by the party's former head of elections, Simon Grindrod.

Grindrod resigned from the party's leadership structures last week, but remained an ordinary member, after the party repeatedly denied there was a contest between the two former African National Congress heavyweights.

Cope second deputy president Lynda Odendaal also resigned last week, saying the party was a "fraud", and accused Shilowa of manipulation.

Cope again denied a leadership tussle between Shilowa and Lekota at a press briefing on Friday.

According to a statement following the party's congress national committee (CNC) meeting, the party had prioritised fighting "emerging tendencies" such as factionalism, opportunism, tribalism, racism and regionalism in carrying out its "most urgent task" of establishing branches and building and strengthening organisational structures.

In building the party, it had decided to "coopt" former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka into Cope's national leadership, the CNC.

Reports indicated on Monday that Mlambo-Ngcuka may be on her way to return to Parliament, as a possible replacement for Odendaal.

"The issue of other cooptions and filling of vacancies created by the resignation of Mrs Lynda Odendaal and Mr Simon Grindrod will be processed through the congress working committee ahead of the next CNC meeting."

Cope said it had suspended Grindrod from the party because he continued to attack it.

"...the CNC has noted that Mr Grindrod has not resigned as a [ordinary] member of Cope, however, continues to use the public platform to attack the party.

"It was therefore agreed, that Mr Simon Grindrod be suspended with immediate effect pending a disciplinary hearing."

Grindrod confirmed the receipt of a letter informing him of his suspension on Monday evening. He said he was still unclear of the charges being brought against him as they were not contained in the letter.

The party had set aside the next 18 months to "oil organisational machinery" in preparation for its elective conference.

On Friday, Lekota said he aimed for the party to hold its elective conference in two and a half years.

He said "democratic structures" were needed to hold a democratic elective conference. However, the party would hold a policy conference early next year in preparation for the elective conference, which it hoped to hold in December 2010.

The CNC had resolved that in the next two weeks, provinces would convene regional general councils to inform party structures on the CNC meeting and on guidelines to establishing Cope branches.

The party took the opportunity to "reaffirm" its leadership in Parliament as well as its Parliamentary leader, Mvume Dandala. It also wished former President Nelson Mandela well for his upcoming birthday.