South African minister arrested over corruption allegations amid country's coalition talks

JOHANNESBURG — A South African minister who is a senior member of the African National Congress was arrested and appeared in court Wednesday on corruption allegations, just as his party met for talks aimed at finding a way forward for the country after an electoral impasse.

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa is accused of receiving bribes amounting to around $90,000, according to police. He appeared in a courtroom in Johannesburg alongside another suspect in the case. Kodwa said he intends to plead not guilty to the charges.

He resigned as minister after his court appearance but denied the allegations, according to a ministry statement.

Kodwa, 54, is a member of the ANC's internal National Working Committee, which met on Tuesday as the party discusses how it could form a government after losing its 30-year majority in the 2010 elections. last week. The ANC has given no indication of which other party or parties it might strike a deal with to co-govern, but says it has met with officials from at least five other parties and that talks are ongoing.

Kodwa was implicated in accepting bribes from a businessman during a 2021 judicial investigation that focused on allegations of widespread government corruption involving ANC officials and others. The allegations relate to Kodwa's time as national spokesperson for the ANC and then deputy minister of state security.

Police say Kodwa used part of the bribes to purchase a “luxury” SUV vehicle.

Government corruption was seen as one of the issues that caused a majority of South Africans to turn away from the ANC in the elections. He received 40% of the vote, losing his parliamentary majority for the first time and must now form a coalition or agreement with others.

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