Johnathan Paoli
African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has officially received a letter from former Sports minister Zizi Kodwa, informing the party of his resignation as member of parliament (MP).
Zizi, a former Sports, Arts and Culture Minister was sworn in as an MP last month, in a move that sparked outrage from opposition parties and the public and at the time, the ANC said that Kodwa would leave Parliament if found guilty and convicted, in line with regulations.
Acting national spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi said on Wednesday, the SG received a letter dated 24 July communicating Kodwa’s resignation with immediate effect.
“The African National Congress has accepted the letter and wishes Comrade Zizi well,” Godlimpi said.
Kodwa, alongside former EOH boss Jehan Mackay appeared briefly in the Specialised Commercial Crimes court in Palm Ridge, Ekurhuleni on Tuesday facing corruption charges involving an estimated R1.7 million.
The pair were released on R30 000 each at the beginning of June, after being charged with contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities act and the Prevention of Organised Crime act.
Kodwa’s legal representative, Zola Majavu, confirmed that the defence received the list of state witnesses who will testify in the trial and vowed to follow the magistrate’s instruction of no contact between the accused and the witnesses.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said delays were expected in light of the accused making representations to the NPA.
“We anticipate that should they decide on that position to submit representations, there will be further delays. Unfortunately, it’s their right so the NPA will entertain their interlocutory applications as in when we receive them,” Mjonondwane said.
Kodwa and Mackay said in court that they are planning to plead not guilty during trial.
Mackay allegedly paid bribes to Kodwa between April 2015 to February 2018, with money reportedly being used to buy a luxury vehicle and accommodation.
The payments to the former minister were alleged to have been for his intervention in government procurement processes benefiting Mackay, EOH and Tactical Software Systems, consequently resulting in a R360 million tender being cancelled.
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