Just a day after announcing his resignation as Sports, arts & culture minister Zizi Kodwa revealed Thursday he has now stepped aside as a Member of ANC National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC).
In a letter addressed to the party’s secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, Kodwa said he was stepping down with immediate effect.
“I do this in strict compliance with ANC 55 conference resolution on renewal. In addition, to ensure avoidance and protection of the name and reputation of the organisation during the case proceedings against me,” said Kodwa, who was 25th on the ANC’s national list of members headed for parliament following the May 29 national elections.
“I remain a committed and disciplined member of the African National Congress. I will keep you informed on the status and progress of my case.”
The shocking developments come after Zodwa’s arrest over alleged corruption and bribery on Tuesday linked to JSE-listed listed group company EOH Holdings, which saw him appear at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday to face the charges.
Kodwa and Mackay appeared in court side by side after handing themselves in following arrangements with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks. They were both granted R30 000 bail after pleading not guilty, with the matter reprimanded until July 24, 2024.
Their arrest follows the Zondo commission recommendations on state capture, Brigadier Thandi Mbambo, the Hawks’ spokesperson said in a statement. In the case, the State alleges Kodwa received a R1.6-million from Mackay, which Kodqa used to buy a Jeep vehicle, including payments for the upmarket Cape Town seaside villa.
The payments happened between April 2015 and February 2016 when Kodwa was employed as the National Spokesperson of the ANC, and it’s believed were done to advance Mackay’s interests in acquiring a R360-million IT contract with Sita (State Information Technology Agency) for one of his companies.
According to NPA Regional Spokesperson-Gauteng Division Phindi Mjonondwane, nine companies, including EOH, were shortlisted for the tender. Furthermore, it’s alleged communication between the two accused suggests that EOH was disqualified, with Mackay then approaching Kodwa for his intervention which allegedly resulted in the tender being cancelled.
However, Kodwa has denied he committed corruption, assisting the money was given to him as a loan, though this is reflected on EOH’s accounting books as a donation to the ANC, or to Kodwa himself.
As for his resignation letter to the NEC, Kodwa said he took the decision to step aside to ensure protection of ANC name and reputation – per the ANC’s step-aside rule which was adopted by the during the NEC’s 55th Conference in 2021.
The rule provides for members of the party who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes to step aside within 30 days of being formally charged.
