South Africa’s prosecutors have reinstated bribery and corruption charges against former minister Zizi Kodwa, a senior figure in the African National Congress
Kodwa was first arrested in June 2024 while serving as sports and arts minister following findings from a corruption probe linked to the presidency of Jacob Zuma. He is accused of receiving about 1.6 million rand in bribes in 2016 related to contracts for upgrading and maintaining software systems in Johannesburg
The charges had initially been withdrawn in November 2024 due to concerns over the strength of the case. However, the decision was reversed in January 2026 when Shamila Batohi ordered that the prosecution should proceed
The case is closely tied to the findings of the Zondo Commission, which investigated widespread corruption and mismanagement in state institutions during Zuma’s time in office. The commission’s report was submitted to Cyril Ramaphosa in 2022
Corruption during that period is estimated to have cost South Africa hundreds of billions of rand and has significantly damaged the reputation of the ANC, contributing to its loss of parliamentary majority in the 2024 elections and forcing it into a coalition government
Source: TRT Africa
