Cosatu welcomes Zizi Kodwa’s resignation, questions why ANC returned him to Parliament

The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) is among the organisations that have welcomed Zizi Kodwa’s decision to resign as a member of Parliament, saying it was a poor decision to let him stand for public office in the first place.

Cosatu previously called for Kodwa to step aside after he was criminally charged for allegedly contravening the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. 

It is alleged that Kodwa received direct payments and luxury accommodation amounting to more than R1.6-million, facilitated by former EOH executive and co-accused, Jehan Mackay. This was believed to be gratification for his interventions in government procurement processes to advance the interests of EOH and its subsidiary, TSS Managed Services. 

Cosatu says they were “deeply disappointed” by the ANC’s decision to deploy Kodwa as an MP after the 29 May elections.

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“This had been a poorly thought-through and ill-considered decision by the ANC that undermined its progressive step-aside resolution for public representatives. It sent a painfully worrying question to society on the ANC’s commitment to holding its public representatives accountable and its bold and necessary renewal campaign,” Cosatu’s statement reads.

The organisation said the ANC should be more stern if it wanted to renew itself, while at the same time wishing Kodwa luck in his trial.

“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,” said the ANC’s alliance partner.

In June, Kodwa resigned from his position as sport, arts and culture minister once news of his arrest began making headlines.

“The secretary-general of the ANC, comrade Fikile Mbalula, has received a letter from comrade Zizi Kodwa formally communicating his resignation as a Member of Parliament.

“The resignation is with immediate effect,” said ANC acting national spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi on Thursday.

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ActionSA says Kodwa’s resignation from Parliament shows that the ANC’s rules are not stringent enough to prevent members with tarnished reputations from standing for public office.

A party statement highlighted that his resignation followed their repeated calls for his removal.

“Let us not forget that neither the ANC’s integrity committee nor their step-aside policy have done anything to prevent this individual from being sworn in as a Member of Parliament after resigning as a minister under a cloud of incriminating corruption allegations.”

The party said the ANC’s statement on the matter was weak and showed they were not serious about dealing with misconduct within the organisation.

“ActionSA argued from the outset that it is unthinkable for a member of Parliament to simultaneously juggle courtroom appearances for breaking corruption laws while also serving in Parliament and shaping the country’s laws. It is therefore crucial to highlight the ANC’s mealy-mouthed acceptance of his resignation, which speaks volumes about their lack of commitment to fighting corruption.”

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The case against Kodwa stems from recommendations made by retired Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in one of his reports into State Capture.

The report specifically dealt with corruption and fraud in the public sector, including state organs.

The Zondo Commission recommended that law enforcement agencies investigate attempts by Mackay to induce Kodwa to interfere with procurement processes. DM