South Africa’s outgoing sports, arts, and culture minister appeared in court on Wednesday over bribery allegations as the African National Congress (ANC) engages in coalition government talks following an election stalemate.
Minister Zizi Kodwa, formally charged with accepting bribes, stood before a court south of Johannesburg alongside co-accused Jehan Mackay.
The Hawks, South Africa’s elite police unit, confirmed that Kodwa was granted bail during the hearing.
His legal representative assured that Kodwa would not flee and would present his defense in due course.
According to News24, Kodwa is accused of accepting 1.6 million rand ($85,000) in bribes related to contracts for upgrading and maintaining Johannesburg’s metro software systems.
The allegations date back to his tenure as the ANC’s national spokesperson and later as deputy minister of state security, and he was implicated in a 2021 judicial inquiry into widespread government corruption involving ANC officials.
Police claim Kodwa used some of the bribe money to purchase a luxury SUV.
