President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Malopeng Ramokgopa as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. (OJ Koloti/Garo Images)
- Gigi Kodova resigned on Wednesday. As Minister for Sport, Arts and Culture.
- The President's Office announced that Maropeng Ramokgopa would take over as president in Kodwa's place.
- Kodwa had been granted bail of R30,000 on charges he accepted bribes totalling R1.6 million.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Malopeng Ramokgopa as minister of sport, arts and culture following the resignation of Zizi Kodwa on Wednesday.
Ramokgopa currently serves as Minister for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the President's Department.
Presidency spokesman Vincent Mugwenya said on Friday that President Ramaphosa received Kodwa's resignation on Wednesday after he was formally charged with corruption in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court.
“President Ramaphosa accepted Minister Kodwa's resignation and expressed his gratitude to her for her service to the country as Deputy Minister of National Security from 2019 to 2023 and as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture from March 2023,” Mugwenya said.
“President Ramaphosa has appointed Minister Malopeng Ramokgopa as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture pending a permanent appointment under the new Seventh Government.”
Read | 'Streetwise Gigi': Gigi Kodwa uncovers corruption allegations against Jehan Mackay
The announcement comes as South Africa is in the process of forming a government of national unity following the May 29 general election.
Ramokgopa is also the ANC's second deputy secretary-general.
Kodwa, who appeared in court alongside former EOH boss Jehan McKay in connection with allegations that he accepted a R1.6 million bribe, has resigned from his ministerial post.
News24 reported that Judge Sherron Soko Lantau granted bail to Mr Kodwa and Mr Mackay.
READ | Zizi Kodwa resigns as sports minister amid corruption trial, leaves on R30,000 bail
The case was adjourned until July 23 to allow the defence access to case records and for pre-trial conferences.
The charges against Kodwa are part of an investigation into more than R460 million in contracts awarded by the City of Johannesburg to EOH Holdings in 2016.
The company was contracted to upgrade and maintain the subway's software systems.
News24 previously reported that the Zondo commission found Kodwa was involved in questionable transactions.
Gigi Kodwa resigned as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture on Wednesday amid allegations of corruption. (Melinda Stuurman/Netwerk24)
Between February 2014 and April 2015, EOH entities and Mackay allegedly paid about R1.6 million in cash to Kodwa, who allegedly benefited from luxury accommodation, loans and other perks.
Kodwa reportedly wrote to the party's national executive committee on Thursday, conveying his intention to comply with the retirement rules with immediate effect.
“I do this in strict accordance with the ANC55 conference renewal resolution. Further, I remain a committed and disciplined member of the African National Congress to ensure that the good name and reputation of the organisation is not tarnished during the legal proceedings against me! I will continue to keep you informed of the status and developments in my legal case,” Kodwa said in a post on X by SABC reporter Samkele Maseko.
