Minister linked to EOH corruption in the firing line

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa is reportedly in the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA’s) crosshairs for his links to corrupt deals at EOH.

Testimony at the Zondo Commission in 2021 stated that Kodwa received R2 million in payments and luxury accommodation from EOH while bidding for government tenders.

Steven Powell, MD of ENSafrica’s forensics department, implicated Kodwa in dubious payments from former EOH Mthombo executive Jehan Mackay.

These payments include a R1 million “loan” that Kodwa received from Mackay. He used the money to buy an R890,000 Jeep. He never paid back the money.

Powell said Kodwa was also paid R45,000 by EOH a day before Mackay asked him to intervene in a Home Affairs tender from which EOH was disqualified.

It was a particularly lucrative tender, and Mackay’s communication with Kodwa following the deposit looked like a plea.

Not only did large payments into Kodwa’s accounts link him to potential corrupt deals — EOH also paid for exclusive accommodation in Cape Town.

The accommodation was always ultra-luxurious and very expensive. All the apartments are in exclusive areas, like Fresnaye, Camps Bay, and Clifton.

The apartments where Kodwa stayed and the prices paid by EOH for this accommodation were as follows:

• R150,000 for a 3-day stay at 53 Ave Fresnaye in Cape Town.
• R100,000 for a 2-day stay at The Pentagon Villa in Clifton.
• R230,000 for a 2-week stay at the Barbados Rental Villas in Cape Town.

Powell said Kodwa particularly liked The Pentagon Villa in Clifton and returned for a 3-day stay, which cost R150,000. He also requested the services of a private chef, which cost R11,700.

Kodwa admitted to receiving payments and luxury accommodation from EOH’s Mackay but denied it was linked to influencing tenders.

He also denied ever receiving requests from Mackay to influence how the state spent its money, as Powell alleged.

Kodwa said he was not guilty of corruption. “I have never engaged in corruption or facilitated corruption in my relationship with Mackay or any other person,” he said.

Zizi Kodwa in the firing line

Zizi Kodwa, Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture

Despite Kodwa’s denial that he did anything wrong, the NPA is reportedly preparing to charge him with corruption and money laundering.

The Mail & Guardian reported that the NPA is “fine-tuning” Kodwa’s charge sheet before National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi authorise the minister’s prosecution.

Citing NPA insiders, it reported that the case against Kodwa is strong and seen as low-hanging fruit because emails point to him influencing lucrative tenders.

These emails allegedly show how Kodwa was involved in influencing contracts to be awarded to EOH while he was an ANC NEC member and the party’s spokesperson.

If Kodwa is indeed charged with corruption and money laundering, it can devastate his political career.

Former ANC Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said the party’s “rules may be triggered” if Kodwa is charged.

“There are clear guidelines and rules in the ANC. The step-aside rule says if you formally get charged, you have to step aside from whatever positions you occupy,” he said.

“So, if the NPA is building a case against Minister Zizi Kodwa, we wait and see because we cannot be privy to that information and what they do.”