Zizi Kodwa, South Africa’s Minister of Sports and Culture, has been arrested following multiple reports that he was about to face charges for bribery.
The allegations are said to have stem from his time as the African National Congress (ANC) spokesperson and member of the national executive committee (NEC).
During the state capture commission, it was alleged that Kodwa’s luxurious lifestyle was funded by businessman and former EOH boss, Jehan Mackay.
Further allegations, for which Kodwa will now be called to answer for, indicate that he influenced the awarding of contracts to EOH in return for favours.
Justice Zondo recommended in his report, released in April 2022, that Ramaphosa should consider Kodwa’s then position as deputy minister.
“The commission accordingly recommends that the president considers the position of Mr Kodwa as deputy minister of state security. Having regard to the fact that Mr Kodwa appears to find himself in a position where he is beholden by Mr Jehan Mackay,” Zondo stated in his report.
“Mr Kodwa is beholden by Mr Jehan Mackay, to whom he owes more than R1.7m. On his own version. This is a debt which he cannot immediately repay.”It was revealed during the commission hearings that Mackay funded Kodwa’s luxury holidays. He also loaned him more than R1.7-million. R1-million was disguised as an “ANC donation” in one of Mackay’s company bank accounts.