South African minister charged with corruption amid coalition talks | Elections Information

Sports activities, Arts and Tradition Minister Zizi Kodwa arrested and charged of taking bribes as his ANC social gathering struggles to type a authorities.

South Africa’s outgoing sports activities, arts and tradition minister has appeared in court docket after being arrested over bribery allegations as his African Nationwide Congress (ANC) social gathering meets for coalition authorities talks after an election impasse.

Zizi Kodwa, who was formally charged with taking bribes, appeared in a courtroom south of Johannesburg on Wednesday, alongside co-accused Jehan Mackay.

Kodwa was granted bail throughout the listening to, the nation’s elite police unit Hawks stated in an announcement. His lawyer stated Kodwa wouldn’t evade trial and would disclose his defence at a later stage, footage by public broadcaster SABC confirmed.

Information web site News24 reported that Kodwa was held on accusations of taking 1.6 million rand ($85,000) in bribes in reference to contracts handed by the town of Johannesburg to improve and preserve the metro’s software program methods. News24 reported that Kodwa supposed to plead not responsible to the fees.

He was implicated in taking bribes from a businessman at a judicial inquiry in 2021 that seemed into allegations of widespread authorities corruption involving ANC officers and others.

The allegations relate to the time when Kodwa was the nationwide spokesperson for the ANC and later the deputy minister of state safety.

Police allege that Kodwa used among the bribe cash to purchase a “luxurious” SUV car.

Coalition talks

The 54-year-old is a member of the ANC’s inner Nationwide Working Committee, which met on Tuesday because the social gathering discusses the way it would possibly type a authorities after shedding its 30-year majority in an election final week.

The ANC has not given any indication of which different social gathering or events it would possibly strike an settlement with to co-govern and talks are ongoing.

Authorities corruption was seen as one of many points that prompted a majority of South Africans to show away from the ANC within the election.

It acquired 40 p.c of the vote, shedding its parliamentary majority for the primary time, and now must type a coalition or settlement with others.