Zizi Kodwa resigns as ANC MP

Former sports, arts and culture minister Zizi Kodwa has resigned as a member of parliament (MP) of the African National Congress (ANC).

This followed criticism over Kodwa’s deployment to the National Assembly.

The former minister’s resignation with immediate effect was confirmed by the ANC on Thursday afternoon.

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“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 24 July 2024, and the resignation is with immediate effect.

“The African National Congress has accepted the letter, and wishes comrade Zizi well,” the party’s statement reads.

ANC sends Kodwa to Parliament

Kodwa’s return to Parliament sparked anger among the public and even from the ANC’s alliance partner, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu).

The former Cabinet minister was sworn in as an ANC MP at the Good Hope Chamber in Cape Town on 25 June, just weeks after he was charged with corruption.

He immediately resigned as the sports, arts and culture minister.

READ MORE: ‘Turn around and walk away’: Zizi Kodwa’s state witness warning

In addition, Kodwa decided to step aside as a member of ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC).

The former minister reacted to the criticism over deployment to the National Assembly, saying the ANC was in the best position to explain the move.

Kodwa corruption case

Kodwa’s resignation as an ANC MP follows in his second appearance at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, where he was flanked by former EOH Group senior executive, Jehan MacKay, on Tuesday.

The former minister and his co-accused have been charged with contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act as well as contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

The pair, who are out on R30 000 bail and intend to plead not guilty during trial, will return to court on 21 August after their case was postponed for further consultations and instructions.

READ MORE: ‘Close friend’ admits to giving Zizi Kodwa money, but denies corruption

It is alleged that Mackay paid bribes to Kodwa amounting to R1.6 million between April 2015 to February 2018.

The money was allegedly used to buy a “luxury” SUV and for “luxury” accommodation.

The payments to Kodwa were reportedly for his intervention in government procurement processes to benefit Mackay, EOH, and Tactical Software Systems (TSS), which allegedly resulted in an R360 million tender being cancelled.