Cosatu welcomes corruption-accused Zizi Kodwa’s resignation: ‘He must go!’

The embattled former arts and sports minister, Zizi Kodwa tendered his resignation as a member of parliament today, July 25, this has been confirmed by the African National Congress (ANC).

Kodwa is facing charges of corruption linked to state capture.

He’s accused of receiving kickbacks from former EOH CEO Jehan Mackay to the tune of more than R1.6 million during his stint as the ANC’s national spokesperson.

Kodwa who was released on a R30 000 bail with his co-accused Jehan Mackay earlier in June, was sworn
in as a Member of Parliament a month ago alongside 58 uMkhonto weSizwe MPs.

Reacting to this, the labour trade union, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) label the stunt by the ANC to deploy Kodwa in Parliament as “poorly thought through and ill-considered”.

“Whilst we do not celebrate the difficulties that comrade Kodwa is going through and wish him well during his trial, it is not befitting to have Members of Parliament traipsing in and out of court.  Nor would it have benefited the ANC in its path of renewal.  COSATU appreciates that comrade Kodwa did the right thing and chose to resign from Parliament,” Cosatu said in a statement.

Kodwa is accused of living large, all funded by Mackay, in return for supposed favours and influence when it came to the awarding of government tenders.

He had defiantly returned to Parliament in June, with the ANC defending his right to do so despite its step-aside rule and its implications.