Corruption-accused Zizi Kodwa resigns as a member of Parliament

JOHANNESBURG - Embattled former arts and sports minister, Zizi Kodwa, has resigned with immediate effect as a member of Parliament.

In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the African National Congress (ANC) said that he tendered his resignation to the party’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula on Wednesday.

Kodwa is facing a series of corruption charges linked to state capture corruption. He's accused of receiving kickbacks from former EOH CEO Jehan Mackay to the tune of more than R1.6 million during his stint as the ANC's national spokesperson.

The former minister stepped down from his job when he was charged in June.

Kodwa, one of the rising stars of the Cyril Ramaphosa era of the ANC, has now resigned from Parliament.

This follows calls from some quarters of society and in the former liberation movement for him to no longer draw a public salary or represent the organisation in the National Assembly.

Kodwa is accused of living large, all funded by Mackay, in return for supposed favours and influence when it came to the awarding of government tenders.

He had defiantly returned to Parliament in June, with the ANC defending his right to do so despite its step-aside rule and its implications.

Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has lined up at least six witnesses to testify against the politician, who is due back in court in August on corruption charges.