ANC Veterans League objects to graft-accused Zizi Kodwa being sworn in as MP

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC)'s Veterans League has described Zizi Kodwa being sworn in as a member of Parliament (MP) as incomprehensible, saying permitting him to do so is a misapplication of the party's step-aside rule.

Eyewitness News has seen a letter to the party's Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, which was penned by the elders following a national working committee meeting on Wednesday.

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In it, they expressed their disapproval of the ANC defending Kodwa's return to Parliament.

Kodwa was sworn in as an MP earlier this week, despite facing corruption charges. This is despite the ANC's introduction of the step-aside rule for those implicated in corruption and wrongdoing.

The ANC Veterans League has taken strong exception to Kodwa being allowed to continue serving as an MP.

In the letter to Mbalula, it reminded him that it called for internal processes to deal with those on ANC candidate lists who were implicated in state capture and corruption.

The ANC Veterans League objected to Kodwa’s inclusion on a list of those who would serve in the National Assembly.

It also argued that while the step-aside rule doesn’t apply to those at risk of losing their remuneration, this wasn’t the case with Kodwa, who was charged before the start of a new administration.

The elders in the ANC said the step-aside rule must be reviewed.