Former minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, was controversially sworn in as a Member of Parliament (MP) on Tuesday, just weeks after he was arrested on corruption charges.
Zizi resigned after he faced charges of corruption pertaining to a R1.7 million bribe, alongside his accomplice, Jehan Mackay. The African National Congress (ANC) said that Kodwa would stay on as an MP and would stay on as an ordinary backbencher for the seventh administration.
Following his swearing-in on Tuesday alongside the 58 uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party members, Zizi, speaking to Newzroom Afrika, said the party would be able to answer all questions about his deployment.
“Well, I’m here because I am on the list of the ANC. The list has been certified. I was supposed to have been here last week, but because of other matters [I couldn’t make it]. As for the issues you are raising, I think the organisation can explain. I’m not here to speak on behalf of the organisation. I can’t speak on behalf of the caucus.” he said.
“I’m here as a member as instructed in terms of being number 25 on the list of the ANC to come and appear and be sworn in. I am here as a disciplined member because I have been expected to come and be sworn in,” Kodwa added.
[WATCH] Former Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa, who will be sworn in as an ANC MP, tells @ZiyandaNgcobo it is up to the party to decide on his fate amid corruption charges against him. “I am here as a disciplined member because I have been expected to come and be… pic.twitter.com/onV40L1Gjj
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 25, 2024
[WATCH] Zizi Kodwa is sworn in as an ANC MP alongside MK Party members Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Nhlamulo Ndhlela, who did not attend the National Assembly’s first sitting. pic.twitter.com/SKilyzRj36
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 25, 2024
Compiled by Matthew Petersen
Published first on African Insider
Also see: Duduzile Zuma requests to be addressed as ‘honourable’ after being sworn in parliament
