Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa has resigned with immediate effect following charges related to receiving bribes.
Zizi Kodwa resigns as Sports Minister
In a statement, Kodwa stated that he is stepping down to challenge the charges against him, which he vehemently denies.
He expressed his appreciation to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the governing party for the opportunity to serve the nation and thanked the staff at the Ministry and Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for their support.
Kodwa’s resignation follows his appearance in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
He faces charges related to receiving R1.6 million in bribes, stemming from a broader investigation into contracts worth more than R460 million awarded by the City of Johannesburg to EOH Holdings in 2016.
The allegations against Kodwa surfaced during the Zondo Commission’s inquiry into state capture, where explosive evidence tied him to questionable transactions with Jehan Mackay, a former EOH director.
Between February 2014 and April 2015, EOH-related entities and Mackay allegedly made cash payments of around R1.6 million to Kodwa, which he used for luxury accommodations, loans, and other personal expenses.
During his testimony at the commission, Kodwa admitted to receiving financial help from Mackay but denied any wrongdoing. Despite his assertions, the financial paper trail left in his bank accounts suggested otherwise.
The commission, led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, had appointed Steven Powell, a specialist investigator at ENS Forensics, to probe Kodwa’s relationship with EOH.
What happens now?
Following Kodwa’s resignation, the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture will need to appoint a new minister to fill the vacancy.
This process will likely involve consultations within the governing party and with President Ramaphosa.
The focus will be on finding a candidate who can restore public confidence and lead the department effectively amid the ongoing scrutiny.
The legal proceedings against Kodwa will continue as he challenges the charges in court. The case is set to resume on July 23rd, during which further consultations and instructions will take place.
The investigation into the contracts awarded to EOH Holdings is expected to uncover more details regarding the alleged corruption.
A full breakdown of the allegations against Zizi Kodwa
The charges against Kodwa form part of a larger probe into the dealings of EOH Holdings.
The company was hired to upgrade and maintain the City of Johannesburg’s software systems, and the investigation revealed several dubious transactions:
- R230,000 for a two-week stay at Villa Barbados in Camps Bay during the 2015 Christmas holidays.
- Complimentary stays at a luxury hotel costing Mackay R50,000 a night.
- R30,000 to clear an arrears account.
- R1 million, of which R890,000 was used by Kodwa to purchase a Jeep.
Kodwa insisted that these payments were genuine financial help from a friend and denied facilitating any unlawful acts in return.
However, the timing of these payments coincided with EOH being awarded contracts worth over R217 million between 2015 and 2016, raising further suspicion.
