Zizi Kodwa to plead not guilty in kickbacks scandal

Kodwa

Cape Town – Former sports minister Zizi Kodwa, accused of corruption, plans to plead not guilty, a report said.

Kodwa was arrested and charged with corruption on Wednesday, as his ANC party wrangles with how to form a new government after major election losses.

Arrested alongside former EOH boss Jehan Mackay, both were granted R30,000 bail after appearing in the Palm Ridge commercial crimes court.

In his bail application affidavit, Kodwa stated his intention to plead not guilty. He expressed his willingness to cooperate with the police and the court, and pledged to comply with any bail conditions imposed on him, Times Live reported.

The case, stemming from the state capture commission, alleges Mackay paid Kodwa R1.6m in kickbacks.

They are charged under anti-corruption and organised crime acts.

The court ruled neither were flight risks and ordered them to surrender their passports and attend all proceedings.

The case was postponed to July 23 for pretrial preparations.

Mackay and Kodwa both deny the charges and intend to cooperate fully.

According to AFP, as a serving minister in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government, his arrest underlines the struggle that the African National Congress (ANC) has had in cleaning up its image.

The party’s track record of corruption contributed to its slump in support in last week’s general election, when it lost its outright parliamentary majority for the first time in three decades.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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