Former Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Ncediso Goodenough "Zizi" Kodwa has refuted a voice note circulating claiming to be him speaking negatively about President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC. The voice note comes just a week after Kodwa appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court after being implicated in the State Capture Commission for receiving almost R1,7m from tainted businessman and former executive of EOH Group, Jehan Mackay between February 2014 and April 2015.

CLEARING HIS NAME

Kodwa urged the public to disregard the voice note ad refrain from sharing it. In a short statement, Kodwa said that the voice note is fabricated and intentionally created to sow division among comrades. "I have taken note of a voice note remarking on the South African currency and economy that is circulating and purports to be mine. This voice note is fake. It is a distorted message which deliberately attempts to drive a wedge amongst comrades. This is a time we need to unite and be vigilant. This is a time we need to be focused."

SLAMMING RAMAPHOSA 

In the voice note, the person who speaks almost like Kodwa, is heard slamming ANC and the country's president, Cyril Ramaphosa. On the leaked audio, which Kodwa has denied is his voice, the person says Ramaphosa is comfortable with the DA and its leader John Steenhuisen. The person is also slamming Ramaphosa for the killing of miners in Marikana in 2012. In the 60-second audio, the speaker also mentions that Ramaphosa was allegedly associated with Roelf Meyer, the National Party leader during Apartheid. Meanwhile, the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court granted R30 000 bail each to Kodwa and Mackay. The case was postponed to July 23rd.