ANC member and former Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa is free. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu
The corruption charges against former Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Zizi Kodwa and his co-accused have been officially dropped.
The decision to withdraw the charges is based on submissions made by both defendants, but the Director of Public Prosecutions says it is not at liberty to reveal these details, or why it dropped the charges.
In the Palm Ridge Commercial Crime Court, Kodwa and Jehan Mackay made a brief appearance on Friday.
The State said that the Director of Public Prosecutions had decided to drop the charges.
Kodwa was charged with taking bribes of R1.6 million from Mackay, an EOH executive, in exchange for influencing choices on contracts.
Kodwa announced to the media that he was now officially a “free man" and intended to renew his commitment to serving the African National Congress (ANC).
Kodwa stepped aside from the party after the allegations of corruption against him made headlines last month.
“I am available, I can apply anywhere. I am in the job market as you know I am unemployed,” he said.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, told reporters outside the court that the prosecution was dropped because of the strong arguments both accused people made to the Director of Public Prosecutions' (DPP) office.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Andrew Chauke, reviewed the case docket and confirmed his evaluation of the information contained before holding a consultation with the investigating officers in response to their representations.
Mjonondwane further mentioned that the NPA was not in a position to share the details contained in their representations. This also included the factors that influenced the DPP’s decision.
The two individuals were released on bail amounting to R30,000 and had planned to enter a plea of not guilty during the trial.
The Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture in 2020 exposed claims that Kodwa got money from Mackay, a former executive at the biggest technology business in South Africa, EOH Holdings.
According to testimony from Steven Powell, managing director of ENS Forensics, Mackay sent this money to Kodwa in eight different transactions.
The Zondo report, which was released in April 2022, strongly advised President Cyril Ramaphosa to take into account Kodwa's previous role as the State Security deputy minister in the Presidency.
Meanwhile, the ANC had also promised to take action in the matter.
But this means that Kodwa will assume his role in the ANC NEC as he is now cleared.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
IOL Politics