By Staff Reporter
Johannesburg-On a day he was granted ZAR 30K bail after being arrested on corruption charges amounting R1.6 million Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa has resigned from his position.
Charges against are rooted in the Zondo Commission’s state capture inquiry and form part of a probe into contracts worth more than R460 million that the City of Johannesburg awarded to EOH Holdings in 2016. The company was hired to upgrade and maintain the metro’s software systems.
In a statement released by his now former Ministry, Kodwa’s resignation is with immediate effect and he has informed President Cyril Ramaphosa of his decision
“Mr Zizi Kodwa, MP, announces his immediate resignation as Minister of Sport. Arts and Culture. This comes as Mr Kodwa challenges the charges against him, which he strongly denies.Mr Kodwa has informed the President that he will resign as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture and Member of Cabinet, after being formally charged.”
“Mr Kodwa expresses his sincere appreciation to the President and the governing party for the opportunity to serve the nation.”
Kodwa also thanked all the staff at the Ministry and Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for the opportunity to serve with them, and to all stakeholders in Sport, Arts and Culture, with whom he has worked with as Minister.
His arrest and subsequent resignation is coming a time the ruling ANC party is fighting fir survival having failed to garner a majority in the May 29 elections. Political analysts have long pointed out corruption has one of the reasons behind the ANC’s waning fortunes which has seen it scuttling to find coalition partners to govern only 30 years after independence