ANC member and former Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa is now free. File Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu/Independent Newspapers
The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation also known as Hawks has requested the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi to review the decision to withdraw corruption charges against former African National Congress (ANC) spokesperson Zizi Kodwa.
The Hawks sent a letter to Batohi’s office on Friday after Gauteng’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Andrew Chauke, announced that he has decided to drop charges against Kodwa.
Kodwa briefly appeared in the Palm Ridge Commercial Crime Court alongside his co-accused, Jehan Mackay where they were told that their charges were dropped.
In a statement, NPA spokesperson, Mthunzi Mhaga, said the Constitution allows the NDPP to review a decision to prosecute or not to prosecute, after consultation with the relevant DPP and after taking representations within a specified period from the accused person.
“The NDPP will review the decision in line with the above stated legal framework and communicate the decision accordingly,” Mhaga added.
Kodwa was charged with taking bribes of R1.6 million from Mackay, an EOH executive, in exchange for influencing choices on contracts.
After he was cleared from the charges, Kodwa announced to the media that he was now officially a “free man" and he intends to renew his commitment to serving the ANC.
The former Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture stepped aside from the party after the allegations of corruption against him made headlines last month.
“I am available, I can apply anywhere. I am in the job market as you know I am unemployed,” he said.
The duo were released on bail amounting to R30,000 and had planned to enter a plea of not guilty during the trial.
The Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture in 2020 exposed claims that Kodwa got money from Mackay, a former executive at the biggest technology business in South Africa, EOH Holdings.
According to testimony from Steven Powell, managing director of ENS Forensics, Mackay sent this money to Kodwa in eight different transactions.
The Zondo report, which was released in April 2022, strongly advised President Cyril Ramaphosa to take into account Kodwa's previous role as the State Security deputy minister in the Presidency.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
IOL News