By Thabo Mosia
Andile Lungisa, a member of the ANC’s National Executive Committee, has hailed the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision to withdraw corruption charges against former Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa. Lungisa, who has long been vocal about the perceived misuse of the NPA against political figures, claims that the prosecuting authority is being weaponised to target political opponents and “destroy innocent families.” Following the court’s decision, he expressed, “We stood publicly with Cde Zizi Kodwa because we knew he had no case to answer. Congratulations, Zizi.”
The withdrawal of charges against Kodwa and his co-accused, former EOH executive Jehan Mackay, has sparked significant debate. The two men had been facing serious allegations linked to a supposed R1.6 million bribe, which the NPA alleged was intended to influence government contracts. However, in a turn of events on 31 October 2024, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Gauteng Division announced the dismissal of these charges, citing successful representations made by the defendants and a review of the case’s evidence.
A Controversial Case with Far-Reaching Implications
The case against Kodwa and Mackay was initially rooted in allegations that Mackay facilitated payments and luxury accommodation for Kodwa between 2015 and 2016, during his tenure as the ANC’s National Spokesperson. According to the NPA, this arrangement was intended to sway Kodwa’s influence toward securing government procurement deals in Mackay’s favour. The accusations were grave and cast a shadow over Kodwa’s career, eventually leading him to resign from his ministerial post in June 2024 as he sought to address the charges head-on.
At the heart of Lungisa’s critique is the belief that the NPA is being used as a “political tool” to pursue figures within the ANC for purposes other than justice. He previously argued that the accusations against Kodwa were baseless, framing them as part of a broader trend of legal actions aimed at undermining prominent ANC members. Lungisa’s statements echo the concerns of some ANC leaders and supporters who view these prosecutions as politically motivated, undermining public faith in legal institutions.
Kodwa’s Resilience Amidst the Allegations
Following his arrest, Kodwa’s response was swift and decisive. He voluntarily stepped down from his ministerial role, stating that it would be “inappropriate” for a serving government official to remain in office while facing such charges. In line with the ANC’s step-aside rule adopted at the 55th ANC Conference, Kodwa also temporarily withdrew from all party activities, expressing his respect for both the party’s principles and the legal process.
Throughout the ordeal, Kodwa remained largely silent, adhering to the advice of his legal counsel, Zola Majavu, who recommended he refrain from engaging with the media until the matter was resolved. After the charges were dropped, Majavu addressed the media, stating, “It’s about time that I unleash my client so he can speak for himself… I had advised him to stay out of the media, painful as it was, but now he is free to speak as a vindicated man.” Majavu’s comments, combined with Kodwa’s eventual public statements, underscored the emotional toll the case had taken on the former minister.
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