Equal Education calls for the removal of Zizi Kodwa from the portfolio committee.

Lobby group Equal Education has announced that it has sent a letter to ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli, opposing the nomination of Zizi Kodwa, who faces corruption charges, to the Basic Education portfolio committee.

The former Sport, Arts and Culture Minister and his co-accused, businessman Jehan Mackay, were arrested on 5 June by the Hawks and later charged with corruption. The two appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialised Crime Court in Johannesburg on the same day, where they also faced charges of Contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, emanating from the period between April 2015 to February 2016, when Kodwa was ANC national spokesperson. The two were later released on R30 000 bail each.

EQUAL EDUCATION SLAMS ZIZI KODWA’S NOMINATION

Equal Education said the urgency of this matter cannot be overstated, as Kodwa’s nomination is an insult to the learners in South Africa who rely on effective legislative oversight to guarantee quality education. 

The organisation said the portfolio committee on Basic Education exercises fundamental functions of the Department of Basic Education (DBE). Given its significant responsibilities in scrutinising the DBE’s strategic plan and overseeing the appropriate spending of the department’s budget, it is incomprehensible that an individual currently out on bail for corruption charges has been entrusted with this role. 

“It would be an indictment on the ANC to overlook the significant scandal that has marred Kodwa’s career. He currently faces serious corruption charges relating to allegations that he received more than R1.7 million in bribes linked to influencing the awarding of government contracts. These charges raise grave concerns about his suitability for this role in the national legislature​. The importance of ethical governance and the highest levels of integrity cannot be overstated for a role that demands such commitment, as outlined in Parliament’s Code of Ethical Conduct. 

“In addition, the ANC’s step-aside resolution, which was intended to address issues of corruption and maintain the integrity of the party, is not achieving its main objective,” Equal Education spokesperson Sesethu August said.

August said Kodwa’s position on the basic education committee raises serious concerns about the efficacy of this resolution and its impact on the credibility of parliamentary oversight roles, the organisation emphasised.

‘DEPLOYEES SHOULD FULFILL ROLES WITH UNBLEMISHED RECORDS’

Further, Equal Education said that in the context of the Government of National Unity (GNU), where the new Minister of Basic Education is a deployee from the Democratic Alliance, the ANC holds significant oversight responsibilities. Individuals must fill these roles with unblemished records.

“This is especially important given that the heightened oversight duties demand a level of scrutiny and ethical governance that Kodwa’s record does not support.

“In addition, most of the committee’s members, including the chairperson, are new to the education committee. Kodwa’s relative seniority and his tainted track record risk negatively influencing the committee. The importance of having members free from past ethical issues cannot be overstated, as they are role models for integrity and dedication to accountable public service,”

August added