Former Sports, Arts and Culture Minister and corruption-accused Zizi Kodwa has resigned as a member of parliament.
This was confirmed by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula on Thursday.
“The Secretary-General of the ANC, Comrade Fikile Mbalula, has received a letter from Comrade Zizi Kodwa formally communicating his resignation as a member of parliament.
“The letter is dated July 24, 2024 and the resignation is with immediate effect. The African National Congress has accepted the letter and wishes Comrade Zizi well,” said Mbalula.
Corruption charges
Kodwa’s resignation comes amid corruption charges he is facing.
In June, Kodwa resigned as a minister and ANC NEC and NWC member after appearing in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court sitting at the Palm Ridge magistrate’s court for corruption charges.
Kodwa, director of Tactical Software Systems (TSS) and former senior executive of Enterprise Outsourcing Holdings (EOH), Jehan Mackay, are facing charges of contravention of the Prevention and Combatting of Corruption Act (Precca) and corruption.
The pair have been granted bail each of R30,000 after appearing in court on corruption charges.
Kodwa and Mackay returned to the Palm Ridge magistrate’s court on Tuesday. Their matter was postponed to August 21 for the state to respond to the application by Kodwa for further particulars.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the state disclosed the contents of the docket and will now consider Zodwa’s application for further details.
The state alleges that from April 2015 to February 2016, Kodwa received payments and luxury accommodation worth over R1.6-million. This was when he was employed as the national spokesperson of the ANC. The money was paid by and facilitated by Mackay. It was gratifications for his interventions in government procurement processes. And it was to advance the interests of Mackay, TSS and EOH.
State Information Technology Agency (SITA) tender
“In February 2015, a state-owned company responsible for IT services to the government (SITA), advertised a R360-million tender. The…tender was for the appointment of two separate service providers. It was for the provision of a platinum access service solution for the government for five years. This as SITA could not render the said service.
“Nine companies, including EOH, were shortlisted for the tender. Communication between the accused suggests that EOH was disqualified. And that Mackay then approached Kodwa for his intervention, which allegedly resulted in the tender being cancelled.
“The case stems from the recommendations penned by retired Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. In Part 4 of his reports into allegations of state capture.
“Part four of the report specifically dealt with corruption and fraud in the public sector, including state organs. Zondo had presided over the Judicial Commission of inquiry into state capture. Upon conclusion of its work, he recommended that law enforcement agencies investigate [the two]. He recommended probe… into attempts by Mackay to induce Kodwa to interfere with procurement processes,” said Mjonondwane.
