Zizi Kodwa has resigned as the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture with immediate effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was revealed following his appearance at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on 5 June in connection with allegations that he received R1.6 million in bribes during his time as State Security Deputy Minister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kodwa and co-accused former EOH boss Jehan Mackay were released on R30,000 bail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The case has been adjourned to 23 July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This [resignation] comes as Mr Kodwa challenges the charges against him, which he strongly denies,” read the government statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The charges stem from information shared at the Zondo Commission in 2021 regarding corruption involving IT company EOH Holdings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steven Powell, who is the Managing Director of ENSafrica’s forensics department, mentioned that Kodwa obtained R2 million in payments and luxury accommodations from EOH during the process of bidding for government tenders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, Kodwa was implicated in receiving questionable payments from Mackay, a former executive of EOH Mthombo, which were related to government tenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These payments include a R1 million \u201cloan\u201d that Kodwa received from Mackay, which he used to buy a Jeep, but never paid the money back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Powell revealed that a day before Mackay sought Kodwa’s help regarding a Home Affairs tender EOH had been removed from, Kodwa received R45,000 from EOH. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, EOH covered the cost of his stays in high-end accommodation in Cape Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These accommodations were in prime locations, including Fresnaye, Camps Bay, and Clifton, known for their extravagance and hefty price tags. Kodwa had a particular fondness for The Pentagon Villa in Clifton, where he stayed for 3 days at a cost of R150,000 and even had a private chef for R11,700.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite these transactions, Kodwa maintains that the financial benefits he received from Mackay were not in exchange for influencing tender decisions or governmental spending. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He asserts his innocence, stating, “I have never engaged in or helped facilitate corruption in my dealings with Mackay or anyone else.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n