Sports, arts & culture minister Zizi Kodwa has resigned after his arrest and court appearance on Wednesday for allegedly receiving bribes amounting to R1.6m.
The arrest and charging of the former minister, a close ally of President Cyril Ramaphosa, came amid claims by the opposition that not much was being done to prosecute and implement the findings of chief justice Raymond Zondo’s state capture report.
It would also boost Ramaphosa’s drive to clean up and renew the government and the ANC, analysts said.
The state capture report showed that Kodwa benefited from contracts worth more than R460m that the City of Johannesburg awarded to EOH Holdings in 2016. The company was hired to upgrade and maintain the metro’s software systems.
A statement from his ministry after he appeared in the Palm Ridge specialised commercial crimes court said the former minister would challenge the charges against him.
Kodwa expressed “sincere appreciation” to the president and governing party for the opportunity “to serve the nation”.
Kodwa and former EOH boss Jehan Mackay were each granted bail of R30,000. The state capture commission heard testimony that Mackay allegedly paid Kodwa kickbacks.
The Hawks arrested them under the Prevention & Combating of Corrupt Activities Act and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. The case was postponed to July 23 for disclosure of the docket contents to the defence and consultations for pretrial preparations.
A spokesperson for Kodwa said he strongly denied the charges against him.
Kodwa was given the sports, arts & culture portfolio in Ramaphosa’s cabinet in 2023 after being deputy minister of state security.
He was spokesperson of the ANC in 2014-17.
After losing its majority in last week’s parliamentary election, the ANC is leaning towards trying to form a government of national unity with a wide range of parties.
Kodwa was granted bail during a hearing at a magistrate’s court in Johannesburg, the Hawks said in a statement.
His lawyer said he would not evade trial and would disclose his defence later, footage by the SABC showed.
Update: June 5 2024
This story has been updated with new information.
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