Cape Town – OUTA (Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse) has expressed concern over reports that former Minister of Arts, Sports, and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, may return to Parliament in the 7th administration.
Kodwa, who appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court earlier this month, is implicated in the state capture inquiry for receiving nearly R1.7 million from former EOH executive Jehan Mackay between 2014 and 2015, allegedly funding his luxury holidays and loans.
According to EWN, OUTA’s executive director, Wayne Duvenage, warned that allowing MPs charged with corruption to return to Parliament would hinder the fight against corruption, emphasizing the negative impact on citizens and civil society.“It would be a concern for citizens and civil society if people in that situation find themselves into Parliament first of all, and into positions of power in government. You know he has resigned yet he’s still an MP. He’s still protected now by the ANC to some extent, and we be believe that that’s a concern for us, for South Africa,” the report quoted Duvenage as saying.
Kodwa is set to be sworn in as a member of Parliament on Tuesday, alongside 58 members of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).
In a statement, ActionSA’s parliamentary caucus leader Athol Trollip criticised Kodwa’s return, urging the ANC to withdraw his candidacy to preserve Parliament’s integrity and spare taxpayers the expense of supporting someone accused of corruption.
“ActionSA condemns the shameful return of disgraced former minister Zizi Kodwa, who is reportedly set to be sworn in this coming Tuesday as an ANC member of Parliament despite facing serious corruption charges for allegedly accepting a R1.7 million bribe.
“Charged with violating the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, the former minister finds himself in the dock at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court, facing charges stemming from evidence in the State of Capture Report, which accuses the former minister of accepting a bribe in exchange for influencing the awarding of government contracts,” said Trollip.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
