Johnathan Paoli
ANC National Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri has indicated that former Minister Zizi Kodwa’s appointment as Member of Parliament might not be in contradiction to the party’s ‘step-aside’ rule.
Bhengu-Motsiri said on Monday, however, that the matter was currently under discussion within the ANC.
She said despite being hesitant to speak on the matter, until it was officially clarified by the party following engagements and consultations with structures, in her opinion, Kodwa’s nomination as MP was not necessarily controversial.
“The step-aside policy of the ANC doesn’t suggest that a person cannot serve as a backbencher, but that a person cannot serve as a senior leader in the public arena,” she said.
Bhengu-Motsiri emphasised, stressed that the issue has not yet been finalised yet and the party was still engaging.
“This matter is quite sensitive at this stage, and we are taking inputs from our members, from South Africans and we need to take that to heart as we deliberate the matter,” she said.
“This is a difficult matter that the ANC is dealing with. This is uncharted waters,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.
Earlier this month, Kodwa appeared alongside former executive Jehan Mackay, before the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court, facing corruption charges involving R1.7 million and was granted bail of R30 000.
Kodwa resigned as Sports, Arts and Culture Minister and in his letter of resignation said his removal as minister would allow him to challenge the charges against him, and that he remained a committed and disciplined member of the party.
The step-aside rule is an internal policy of the ANC, which requires members charged with corruption or other serious crimes to voluntarily “step-aside” from participation in party and government activities, or face suspension.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane said the alleged corruption took place between 2015 and 2016.
Kodwa in his then position as national spokesperson of the ANC, allegedly received direct payments and luxury accommodation worth almost R1.7 million.
According to the allegations, Mackay made the payments and helped to facilitate them in exchange for Kodwa’s interventions in government procurement procedures to advance the interests of Mackay.
The charges against Kodwa were affected after recommendations by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in part 4 of his reports into allegations of state capture, which concluded that law-enforcement agencies should investigate attempts by Mackay to induce Kodwa to interfere and that President Cyril Ramaphosa should consider the position of Kodwa as the then Deputy Minister of State Security.
The case is expected to continue on 23 July.
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