Corruption case against Kodwa and co-accused Mackay postponed again
The pair made a short appearance at the Palm Ridge Magistrates court on Thursday.
Former Department of Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 5 June 2024, on corruption charges. Picture: Xanderleigh Dookey Makhaza/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The corruption case against former Sport, Arts and Culture minister, Zizi Kodwa, and his co-accused, Jehan Mackay, has been postponed to 24 October.
The pair made a short appearance at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Kodwa is accused of accepting kickbacks from Mackay between 2015 and 2016, in exchange for government contracts.
READ: State turns over 1,300 pages of evidence in corruption case against Kodwa
Mackay has made representations to have the fraud and corruption allegations against him dropped.
Kodwa’s legal representative, Zola Majavu: "On the last occasion, there was an indication that Mr Mackay made representations, which were turned down. He then sought to escalate those to the DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions]. Today [Thursday], we were then informed that the DPP required a period of two weeks to finalise his decision."
Kodwa initially showed no desire to have his charges dropped, expressing his intention to clear his name in court.
However, Majavu said after reviewing the docket, he believes the State's case against his client is weak.
"There are more questions than answers. And based on that, I was then fortified to make representations to the effect that the charges against must be withdrawn."
In the next two weeks, the Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, Andrew Chauke, is expected to rule on whether kodwa and mackay's charges will be dropped.
'I MUST PROTECT KODWA’S RIGHTS' – ATTORNEY
Majavu has come to say the fraud and corruption allegations against his client have significantly harmed his reputation.
Speaking shortly after the court appearance, Majavu emphasised his main objective is clearing Kodwa’s name.
“Remember I have a client whose rights I must protect. A client who as a result of these charges has been rendered unemployed and unemployable because no one is going to touch him if he’s got pending charges of corruption. So, for me, the immediate focus is on vindicating him. What happens after his vindication is for him to consider and then instruct me accordingly.