Corruption accused former Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa has resigned as a Member of Parliament, less than a month after he was sworn in the 7th administration.

WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

Kodwa will become the short serving MP of the seventh administration, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the government of national unity. ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula confirmed that he has received a letter from Kodwa formally communicating his resignation as an MP. In the letter dated 24 July 2024, Kodwa resigned with immediate effect. "The African National Congress has accepted the letter and wishes Comrade Zizi well," he said.

HIS APPOINTMENT CRITICISED

When Kodwa was sworn in recently, many criticised his party for letting him go back to Parliament, despite facing corruption charges. The criticism over Kodwa's deployment to the National Assembly led to the ANC taking a decision to review his representation of the party in Parliament on the step-aside rule guidelines. Kodwa resigned from his position as a minister on June 5, the day he appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on corruption charges. Kodwa and businessman Jehan Mackay are facing corruption and were instructed to avoid contact with the six witnesses who will testify for the state. The state alleges that Kodwa received R1.68 million from Mackay, including payments for his seaside villas in an upmarket area in Cape Town between April 2015 and February 2016. This was in exchange for IT software tenders. The two are out on R30 000 bail each and are expected to appear again in court on 2 August.