On Wednesday the 5th of June, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa and businessman Jehan MacKay were arrested on corruption charges totalling R1.7 million. The pair made their first court appearance at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in Ekurhuleni.
Kodwa was implicated in the State Capture Commission, chaired by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. The allegations of corruption trace back to his tenure as spokesperson and national executive committee (NEC) member of the African National Congress (ANC).
The commission revealed that between February 2014 and April 2015, Kodwa’s extravagant lifestyle was financed by MacKay, a former EOH Group executive. The EOH Group, an IT solutions firm, along with its entities, allegedly paid Kodwa R1.68 million and an additional R30,000 for his personal benefit.
These funds were reportedly used to buy a Jeep on the 6th of June in 2015, and to cover luxury accommodation costs for Kodwa. However, Kodwa claimed that he believed the accommodations were properties owned by MacKay.
In return for these payments, EOH Group was awarded several tenders with the City of Johannesburg. It is said that the payments were made to influence more tenders in EOH’s favour.
Chief Justice Zondo’s report recommended that President Cyril Ramaphosa reconsider Kodwa’s position as Deputy Minister of State Security, citing that Kodwa seemed indebted to MacKay.
The arrest raises questions about Kodwa’s political future, as the ANC’s step-aside rule prevents those charged in court from holding government positions such as ministers, deputy ministers, MECs, or MMCs.
Kodwa is listed as number 25 on the ANC national list after the party lost 71 seats in the 2024 elections, securing only 159 seats compared to 230 in 2019.
Main Image: News Central TV
