NPA denies claims its corruption case against Zizi Kodwa is weak

Former Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa and his co-accused, Jehan Mackay, appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Thursday, on charges of fraud and corruption.

FILE: Former Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa (right) and his corruption co-accused, former EOH boss, Jehan Mackay (left), appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge on 5 June 2024. Picture: Xanderleigh Dookey Makhaza/Eyewitness News

JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has denied claims that its corruption case against former Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa and his co-accused, Jehan Mackay, is weak.

The pair appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Thursday, on charges of fraud and corruption.

Between 2015 and 2016, Kodwa allegedly received almost R1.6 million in kickback to influence the awarding of tenders to Mackay’s executive enterprise holdings company.

While the defence believes the State has no case, NPA spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, begs to differ.

"As the NPA, we enrolled this matter because there were prospects of a successful prosecution. The accused will get a rare opportunity to state their side of the story but as the NPA we are convinced with the evidence that we have at our disposal and that they do have a case to answer."