Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa resigned from his cabinet position on Wednesday afternoon after being arrested earlier in the day on corruption charges. 

He appeared at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in Ekurhuleni on Wednesday morning with his co-accused, former EOH director Jehan Mackay.

Kodwa is one of the highest-profile leaders to be held accountable following the seemingly endless revelations about government wrongdoing at the state capture commission, which was run by then deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo from 2018 to 2022. 

His arrest is related to serious allegations levelled against him at the Zondo Commission, including that he received over R1 million from Mackay to manipulate tender processes in the IT company’s favour. 

Kodwa’s arrest forms part of a R460-million probe into EOH Holding’s contracts from the City of Johannesburg in 2016, as exposed at the Zondo Commission.

Steven Powell, head of forensic investigations at ENSafrica, testified at the Commission that Kodwa received R2 million in bribes from EOH from February 2014 to April 2015, which included luxury accommodation and R1 million in his personal account. This was around when Kodwa served as African National Congress (ANC) spokesperson.

Kodwa has firmly denied the allegations, asserting his innocence and maintaining that he is not guilty of corruption.

Mackay has also vehemently denied all the allegations and stated in his affidavit that he is fully prepared to face trial and prove his innocence. 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it would not oppose bail and was not concerned about witness intimidation as the investigation had been concluded. 

Both men have been granted bail of R30 000 each, subject to attending their court appearances without fail, surrendering their passports to the investigating officer, and not contacting state witnesses.

Social media naturally had fun with the minister’s arrest. 

@Mlu_N7 joked that Kodwa would tell Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility inmates that he had “just arrived” when asked for favours. This is in reference to Kodwa’s infamous interview at the 2022 ANC Elective Conference in Johannesburg. 

@MduDlamini_ joked that Kodwa and convict Thabo Bester had the same fashion sense after they appeared to be wearing the same stylish coats. Bester and his eight co-accused, including his partner, disgraced doctor Nandipha Magudumana, appeared today at the Free State High Court for a pre-trial hearing over his dramatic escape from Mangaung maximum security prison in May 2022. 

Kodwa announced his immediate resignation on Wednesday afternoon. In a statement, he said he had notified President Cyril Ramaphosa of his resignation as a minister and member of the cabinet and thanked him and the ruling party for the opportunity to serve the country. Kodwa’s resignation is in keeping with the ANC’s “step aside” rule, where party members who have been criminally charged must voluntarily resign from government and party leadership and activities. The party introduced the rule in 2017, around the time its current leader, Cyril Ramaphosa, replaced his scandal-ridden predecessor Jacob Zuma. The rule was introduced specifically to combat frustration with the party’s numerous corruption scandals, particularly during state capture. 

Kodwa’s arrest and resignation show our justice system working, albeit slowly, to address the wrongs of state capture. 

Kodwa and Mackay are expected back in court on 23 July 2024.