Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa was granted R30,000 bail after his first appearance at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Ekurhuleni. He faces charges of corruption involving R1.7 million.
Kodwa, who previously served as the deputy minister in the Presidency responsible for State Security, was implicated in the State Capture Commission, overseen by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
Accompanying him in court was his associate, businessman and former EOH CEO Jehan Mackay. Mackay was also released on R30,000 bail.
Kodwa faces allegations of accepting bribes amounting to R1.7 million from EOH. The State did not object to their bail.
State Capture Commission Findings
In 2020, the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture revealed that Kodwa allegedly received funds from Mackay, who was then an executive at EOH Holdings, South Africa’s leading technology company.
ENS Forensics Managing Director Steven Powell testified that Kodwa received the money through eight payments facilitated by Mackay.
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Zizi Kodwa granted bail-Image Source@XZondo Commission Recommendations
Upon the release of the Zondo report in April 2022, it was recommended that President Cyril Ramaphosa review Kodwa’s position as deputy minister in the Presidency responsible for State Security.
“The commission recommends that the president re-evaluate Mr. Kodwa’s role as deputy minister of state security, considering his indebtedness to Mr. Jehan Mackay,” stated Zondo in the report.
“Mr. Kodwa owes Mr. Jehan Mackay more than R1.7 million. By his own admission, this is a debt he cannot repay immediately.”
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Ministerial Appointment Despite Allegations
In March last year, President Ramaphosa announced Kodwa’s appointment as South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, despite the ongoing allegations and the recommendations from the Zondo Commission.