Former Sports Minister and ANC Member of Parliament Zizi Kodwa and his co-accused, businessman Jehan Mackay, appeared briefly at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court today facing corruption related charges. The matter was postponed after Kodwa's defence Zola Majavu requested the state furnish them with more information regarding the case against him. 

CORRUPTION FOR LUXURY

The pair are facing charges in relation to Kodwa's alleged reception of direct payments and luxury accommodation worth R1.6 million during his time as ANC national spokesperson and deputy minister of State Security between 2015 and 2016. It's alleged that Mackay whose company had contracts with the government at the time, paid the money to Kodwa as gratification. The state prosecutor, Neville Mogagabe, told the court that the state had already furnished the defence with the charge sheet and the contents of the docket. However, Kodwa's defence has since requested that the state give them more information in relation to the matter. "The state does not oppose the request by the defence, and both parties have agreed to postpone the matter to 21 August to give the state time to respond to the request," Mogagabe said. Reports state that Mackay made 14 payments to Kodwa, either as money transfers to the former minister's FNB account or payments for luxury accommodation.

STEPPING ASIDE

Soon after his first court appearance last month, Kodwa's spokesperson, Litha Mpondwana, announced that the former minister resigned with immediate effect. Two weeks after his resignation, he was sworn in as an ANC MP. Kodwa said at the time that he was only following instructions from his party. During an interview with Newzroom Africa, he said: "Well, I am here because I am on the list of the ANC. The list has been certified. I was supposed to be here last week, but I could not come because of other matters. As for the issues, such as the step-aside rule, I think the ANC can explain. I am not here to speak on behalf of the organisation; I cannot speak on behalf of the caucus. I am here as a member, as instructed in terms of being number 25 on the list of the ANC," he said. The pair are out on R30 000 bail each.