The African National Congress (ANC) has officially announced that Zizi Kodwa, its former Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, currently facing corruption allegations, will be sworn in as a member of Parliament on Tuesday, June 25. He will be accompanied by uMkhonto weSizwe Party members who were absent during the first parliamentary sitting last week.
Furthermore, the ANC has emphasized that the “step-aside” rule will be enforced, which means that Kodwa will have to vacate his parliamentary position if found guilty. According to ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, Kodwa’s swearing-in ceremony will be presided over by the newly elected speaker, Thoko Didiza. Bhengu-Motsiri also mentioned that pending the court’s decision, Kodwa will only be assigned to lesser roles until his guilt or innocence is established.
“If the court rules are in his favour, he will be eligible to take the ministerial positions again but if the case rules otherwise then he will have to step aside completely,”
Kodwa will now be a backbencher in the National Assembly due to the ANC’s 2017 step-aside rule aimed at fighting corruption. The rule holds members in wrongdoing accountable and prohibits them from running for internal leadership positions. Several ANC members, including former secretary-general Ace Magashule, have been suspended or expelled due to this rule.
After the court’s ruling, Chengdu-Motsiri stated that the Integrity Commission would decide Kodwa’s future. Kodwa missed the first Parliament sitting after resigning as minister due to a corruption scandal. He appeared in court after being arrested for allegedly receiving R1.7 million in bribes. President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Maropene Ramokgopa as acting Sports Minister until the new cabinet is announced. Additionally, 58 MK Party members who previously refused to attend Parliament will be sworn in on Tuesday during Kodwa’s swearing-in ceremony.
