South African prosecutors have reinstated bribery and corruption charges against former minister Zizi Kodwa, a prominent figure within the African National Congress (ANC), in a move that underscores renewed efforts to tackle high-level corruption.
Kodwa was initially arrested in June 2024 while serving as sports and arts minister, following allegations tied to a broader corruption probe linked to former president Jacob Zuma’s administration. He is accused of receiving approximately 1.6 million rand in bribes in 2016 in connection with contracts for upgrading and maintaining software systems in Johannesburg.
The charges were briefly withdrawn in November 2024 due to concerns over the strength of the case. However, in January 2026, National Prosecuting Authority head Shamila Batohi ordered the case to proceed, effectively reviving the prosecution.
The case is closely connected to the findings of the Zondo Commission, which exposed widespread corruption and mismanagement within state institutions during Zuma’s presidency. The commission’s final report was submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2022.
Corruption during that period is estimated to have cost the country hundreds of billions of rand, severely damaging the ANC’s credibility. The fallout contributed to the party losing its parliamentary majority in the 2024 elections, forcing it into a coalition government.
Source: Newstimehub
